Russia Strikes Grain Silos in Odesa

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Facts

  • Russian drones targeted Ukraine's grain infrastructure in the southern Odesa region on Wednesday, striking port facilities in the city of Izmail on the river Danube — a short distance from NATO member country Romania.1
  • Ukraine's defense ministry said that an elevator used for loading grain was damaged in the overnight attack. Meanwhile, emergency service crews could be seen extinguishing a large fire at the facility; Odesa governor Oleh Kiper said there were no reports of any casualties.1
  • After pulling out of the Black Sea grain deal, Russia has repeatedly targeted ports in the Odesa region. The sites have facilitated an alternative route for exporting grain out of Ukraine following the deal's collapse.2
  • In this most recent attack, Ukrainian officials said air defenses brought down a total of 23 drones over the country, including all 10 over Kyiv. It was unclear how many drones penetrated.[2]
  • In Kyiv, city officials said that drone debris fell in three districts of the city, causing minor damage to non-residential buildings and roads. "No serious destruction or fires. There are no reports on casualties," Serhiy Popko, head of the military administration in Kyiv, said.3
  • Meanwhile, in the wider Kyiv region, officials said that drone debris caused a fire in a private home, damaging its garage, a car, and the surrounding area. Another falling drone damaged the roof of a local business.4

Sources: 1BBC News, 2Associated Press, 3UKRINFORM (a), and 4UKRINFORM (b).

Narratives

  • Pro-Ukraine narrative, as provided by Ukrainska Pravda. Russia has once again targeted Ukraine's civilian ports and its grain export facilities. Not only is this an attack on the livelihood of Ukrainians, but it's also threatening the food security of millions of people. The world must respond to these acts of terrorism.
  • Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by TASS. Russia has consistently said that it's willing to return to the grain deal, as long as the previously agreed-upon conditions regarding the lifting of sanctions on Russian grain exports are met. There can be no progress on this matter until that is achieved.

Predictions