Ukrainian Strikes On Logistics Hubs Disrupt Russian Grain Exports - Ivashchenko

(MENAFN- UkrinForm) Oleh Ivashchenko, Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR), said this in an interview with Ukrinform.

“Thestrikes and the situation in the Black Sea are already creating additional problems for Russia's export logistics, particularly grain exports. It needs to export around 40 million tons of grain from this year's harvest-by sea. This requires approximately 30 vessels every day. There are virtually no alternative routes. There are more expensive options, such as transporting grain by rail to Baltic Sea ports or by road. But that is not a solution to the problem,” he said.

According to the intelligence chief, Russia produces around 130 million tons of grain. It retains approximately 80 million tons for domestic needs, while the remainder is exported.

Russian grain exports are currently being obstructed because grain is also a state resource used to support the economy and continue the war.

“And we can see the results of this work [long-range strikes-Ed.]. We can see this effect in Black Sea logistics and Russia's export capabilities as well. Russia is losing the sense that its rear areas are practically unreachable,” Ivashchenko said.

He emphasized that the task of Ukraine's Defense Forces is to reduce the enemy's ability to produce weapons, supply its troops, and continue the war.

Various tools are being used to achieve this, including strikes by Ukraine's Defense Forces, sanctions pressure, and work with partners on the components, technologies, and equipment that Russia continues to obtain by circumventing sanctions.

The main problems facing the Russian economy are currently a shortage of labor, a growing federal budget deficit, and a worsening situation in the banking system, Ivashchenko said.

Read also: Global food prices reach highest level since 2022

Earlier, the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine reported t hat Russia was unable to export its new grain harvest quickly enough. From August 1 to 20, exports fell 2.5-fold to 1.4 million tons, while wheat exports declined 2.6-fold. According to forecasts, wheat exports could fall by another 52.1–62.5% in September, to 1.8–2.3 million tons-the lowest level since 2010.

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