Russia suspends ship traffic across ‘grain corridor’

Russia is suspending ship traffic across the “grain corridor” created within the framework of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Russia’s Ministry of Defence reports.

“The traffic across the safety corridor defined by the Black Sea Initiative remains suspended until the situation surrounding the terrorist act committed by Ukraine on 29 October against the warships and civilian vessels in Sevastopol is clarified,” the statement reads.

The ministry clarified that Russia is not pulling out from the grain agreement but suspending the operation thereof.

The ship traffic across the corridor will be closed until the Ukrainian side accepts the obligation of not using the route for military purposes, Russia’s Defence Ministry claims.

Earlier today, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya declared that Russia would be “forced to undertake measures to inspect vessels” that cross the Black Sea without Moscow’s permission.

This morning, delegations from Ukraine, Turkey, and the UN agreed on a 31 October movement plan for 16 vessels that would sail across the humanitarian corridor.

Later in the day, Ukraine’s Ministry of Infrastructure reported that 12 vessels with 354,500 tonnes of agricultural products meant for countries of Africa, Asia, and Europe had sailed out from Ukrainian ports.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry previously published a statement on suspension of the grain deal, in which it accused Ukraine of a “massive attack” via drones on ships and infrastructure of the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol. Russia suspended the grain deal on 29 October.