Russia’s two largest grain terminals in the southern port of Novorossiysk have temporarily suspended operations following overnight attacks by Ukrainian drones. This information came from industry sources who shared it with Reuters. Russia remains the world’s largest wheat exporter, with most shipments passing through Black Sea ports, including Novorossiysk. Last month, grain industry experts warned that Russian grain exports via the Black Sea could be halted as a result of drone attacks.
One of the damaged terminals in Novorossiysk has an export capacity of 8.5 million metric tons of grain per year. Operations there have been temporarily suspended, and experts are currently assessing the damage. A spokesperson for the Demetra holding company, which owns the terminal, confirmed the damage but declined to provide details.
Another major terminal, the Novorossiysk Grain Complex, which has an annual export capacity of 7.1 million metric tons, was also damaged. Its main owner, the company "OZK," confirmed the damage and assured that none of its employees were injured. Further clarification has been promised once detailed information is available.
Novorossiysk is also home to oil export infrastructure, including facilities of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which are partially owned by the American companies Chevron and Exxon. On Wednesday, the Financial Times reported that Ukraine had halted its attacks on CPC tankers following a request from U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance. During the overnight strikes, the CPC facilities and tankers were not damaged.
Since July 22, ship traffic to the ports of Greater Odessa has effectively come to a halt. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) notes that Russia is seeking to disrupt Ukraine’s agricultural exports by land, following its efforts to disrupt them by sea. In particular, strikes are targeting bridges across the Dniester River used for land transportation.
Over the past year, Russia has illegally exported more than 2 million metric tons of grain from Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories, labeling it as its own production.
Useful information: Increased tensions in the Black Sea region could lead to a grain shortage on the world market, which would affect global food prices.
This information was provided by АнтиКредит.