Amid the alarming rise in global food prices due to the Russian war on Ukraine, Russian Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev said at a conference on Friday that Russia may start building more ships to export grain.
This decision comes in light of Russia’s competition with the European Union and Ukraine to supply the Middle East and Africa with wheat.
Moscow continues to export despite difficulties with logistics and payments caused by Western sanctions due to what Russia calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Ukraine demands safe passage
On the other hand, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister stressed that the international community must help create a “safe corridor” to enable Ukraine to export millions of tons of grain stuck in the country.
Ukraine’s first deputy prime minister, Yulia Svirenko, told the BBC that a “corridor” was needed.
Encirclement of Severodonetsk and Lychansk
On the ground, fighting continues fiercely in eastern Ukraine between Russian and Ukrainian forces, as it appears that Moscow is close to controlling the Logans region in the Donbass region.
In the latest developments, the Ukrainian army confirmed that the Russian forces launched an attack on Thursday from three sides in an attempt to encircle the Ukrainian forces in Severodonetsk and Lyschansk.
It is reported that if these two cities on the banks of the Seversky Donets fell, then Lugansk would have fallen almost completely into the hands of the Russians.
In turn, Lugansk Governor Serhiy Gaidai stated that regarding 50 Russian soldiers reached a highway and “managed to gain a foothold” and set up a checkpoint, noting that the Ukrainian fighters were slowly retreating towards more fortified positions.
Also, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry adviser, Vadim Denisenko, confirmed in a statement yesterday evening that 25 Russian battalions are trying to besiege the Ukrainian forces.
In addition, eyewitnesses confirmed that the Russians advanced in Svetlodarsk, where Ukrainian forces withdrew earlier this week, Archyde.com reported.
