On his statement, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared that Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukrainian port infrastructure in the Black Sea, delaying aid from reaching Palestinians and stopping grain supplies from being delivered to the global south.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer on his announcement stated that the acceleration in attacks coincides with harvest season in Ukraine, a country which remains a major supplier of agricultural produce, crucial for global food security. Putin’s almost 1000-day conflict in Ukraine has reduced supply and helped drive up food and fuel prices across the globe. UK intelligence shows that there has been a noticeable increase in Russian strikes that affects port infrastructure, with grain ships becoming collateral damage.
According to the statement, the strikes are believed to have delayed the MV SHUI SPIRIT from departing Ukraine while carrying vegetable oil destined for the World Food Programme in Palestine. In addition, it has also hit ships loaded with grain destined for Egypt, two vessels carrying corn – which Ukraine is the second biggest supplier to China of – and World Food Programme shipments bound for southern Africa. According to Defence Intelligence, between 05 – 14 October 2024, at least four merchant vessels have been struck by Russian munitions.
Russia’s indiscriminate strikes on ports in the Black Sea underscore that Putin is willing to gamble on global food security in his attempts to force Ukraine into submission.
…said Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The announcement comes as this government announces a further £2.26 billion for Ukraine as part of the UK’s contribution to the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans to Ukraine scheme. Through the scheme, $50 billion from G7 countries will be delivered to Ukraine for its military, budget and reconstruction needs. The loan will be repaid using the profits on immobilised Russian sovereign assets.
The UK is donating an additional £120 million toward the Maritime Capability Coalition and is seeking partners to co-fund delivery of hundreds more maritime drones (aerial and uncrewed boats), as well as surveillance radars to protect the Grain Corridor. Furthermore, the UK and Norway are seeking a further £100 million to co-fund hundreds more.
