Russia blocks Ukrainian exports via the Black Sea: for the first time, no ships in Odesa region ports

Russia's pressure on Ukrainian maritime exports has reached a critical point. On Wednesday, for the first time since the protected corridor was established in 2023, not a single cargo ship managed to enter the three key ports in the Odesa region. The current escalation directly threatens global food security, right in the middle of the harvest season.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described Moscow's actions as "deliberate economic and humanitarian terror." He drew a parallel to Iran's attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that if this pressure continues, millions of people in Africa, Asia, and Latin America will face sharp food price increases and the risk of famine.

The consequences of the attacks are already being felt in logistics. Shipping giant Maersk has already suspended its operations in the port of Chornomorsk, rerouting cargo to Constanța, Romania. Although Kyiv assures the safety of the route, shipowners are reacting to the increasing risk by temporarily suspending voyages.

In response to the situation, Ukraine has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on July 27, insisting on an international reaction against the violation of freedom of navigation.

Experts point to a substantial difference in the actions of the two sides. While Russia attacks completely legal commercial vessels, Ukraine directs strikes against vessels that violate international law by transporting sanctioned Russian oil or visiting occupied territories. The Ukrainian Navy assures that it will continue working to restore the corridor's maximum capacity, despite the unprecedented pressure on commercial companies.