Ukraine struck the Russian port of Odessa, which it occupies. Ukraine announced that it hit the port of Odessa with cruise missiles after Russia signed an agreement on Friday allowing the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.
Ukraine announced that cruise missiles hit the port of Odessa less than 24 hours after Russia signed an agreement to re-export Ukrainian grain from Odessa and two other regions via the Black Sea.
Two Kalibr missiles hit the port's infrastructure, while two other missiles were shot down by air defense systems, the Odessa Regional Defense Administration said in a statement. It is not yet known whether the grain loading facilities were damaged, but a large plume of smoke could be seen from most of the city after the strikes.
The grain export deal was signed in Istanbul on Friday in the presence of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Andriy Yermak, a top advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said, "Yesterday it was agreed to export Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, and today Russia is hitting the port of Odessa. It is Russia's diplomatic double game," Yermak said.
US Ambassador Bridget A. Brink said, "It is inconceivable. Less than 24 hours after Russia signed an agreement allowing the export of agricultural products through the Black Sea, it struck the port of Odessa. The Kremlin continues to use food as a weapon. Russia must be held accountable."
Grain Corridor Statement by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Commenting on the grain corridor, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, "As a result, at the technical meeting held in Istanbul last week, an agreement was reached on the outlines of the process within the framework of the UN plan. We hope that the plan will start to be implemented in the coming days. At the moment, our role is that of a host. We have a mediation as a host. We have been working intensively on the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea for a long time."
https://ieconomy.io/recep-tayyip-erdogandan-tahil-koridoru-aciklamasi/