Ukraine: Alternative Export Corridor Operates Despite Russian Attack

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov confirmed on Thursday that the alternative export corridor in the Black Sea is "still operational despite the recent Russian attack on a civilian ship." He stated, "Vessel traffic continues to and from the ports of Greater Odesa." He mentioned that six ships carrying 231,000 tons of agricultural products have left the ports in the Odesa region and are heading towards the Bosphorus Strait in Turkey. He added, "There are five ships awaiting entry into the ports for loading." Kubrakov highlighted that 91 ships have exported 3.3 million tons of agricultural products and minerals since the corridor began operations in August. A senior agricultural official later noted that the route, which runs along Ukraine's southwestern Black Sea coast to Romanian territorial waters and heads towards Turkey, will also be used for grain shipments. Ukrainian officials pointed out on Wednesday that a Russian missile damaged a civilian ship flying the Liberian flag that was entering a port in the Odesa region of the Black Sea, resulting in one death and four injuries. The ship was supposed to transport iron ore to China. After Russia withdrew from a United Nations-brokered agreement that ensured safe shipments of Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea, Russia has consistently attacked the infrastructure of Ukrainian ports. In August, Ukraine launched a "humanitarian corridor" for ships headed to African and Asian markets in an effort to circumvent the effective Russian blockade on Black Sea exports imposed on Kyiv's maritime shipments following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.