Since the beginning of the full-scale aggression, the Russian Federation has been conducting a systematic campaign to destroy Ukraine’s agricultural infrastructure, threatening not only the economic development but also the food security of the country and the world. Before the invasion, Ukraine accounted for about 12% of the world’s wheat exports, playing a key role in global operations to provide assistance to countries in need of food.
This is reported by Business • Media
Strikes on Black Sea Ports and Grain Storage Facilities
One of the main motives behind Russia’s attacks is to destroy Ukraine’s ability to export grain through Black Sea ports. Since July 2023, hundreds of strikes have been carried out on port infrastructure, resulting in the destruction of over 101,000 square meters of grain storage facilities and specialized export equipment. As a result of these actions, Ukrainian grain stocks have been significantly affected, and the country’s export capabilities have been severely limited.
“The war for the Black Sea ports will be fought without mercy. Without them, Ukraine simply does not exist.”
Destruction of Agricultural Enterprises and Catastrophic Consequences for the Agricultural Sector
In addition to ports, Russian troops are also targeting agricultural enterprises. One such example was the recent missile attack on the Agrico Ukraine agricultural enterprise in Chernihiv region, where a potato storage facility was completely destroyed. Preliminary estimates indicate that the company’s losses have already exceeded 50 million UAH (1.2 million euros).
Another large-scale crime was the explosion of the Kakhovka Dam in the Kherson region. As a result of this sabotage, over 1 million hectares of land in three regions of Ukraine will become unsuitable for agricultural use for the next three to five years. This will significantly impact crop yields and the further development of the agricultural sector.
Analysts emphasize the need to maintain support for Ukraine from the EU and urge against imposing tariffs on Ukrainian grain. They also propose using 200 billion dollars of frozen Russian assets to finance the recovery of Ukraine’s agricultural sector and the economy as a whole.