Russia: Mariupol and Berdyansk ports ready for grain shipments

The Ukrainian ports Berdyansk and Mariupol have been cleared of mines and are ready to resume shipments of grain, the Russian Defense Minister said.

“The demining of the port of Mariupol has been completed. “It is operating normally and has welcomed its first merchant ships,” said Sergei Soigu.

According to the Athenian News Agency, eexports of agricultural products from southern Ukraine have blocked since Russia invaded the country in late February, leading rising grain prices.

Ukraine has blamed Russia that steals vital grain supplies – allegations that US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has described as “credible” -while Moscow says Western sanctions are those responsible for this situation, that threatens to trigger a global food crisis.

Shoigu also said today that Russian armed forces have created “the necessary conditions for its full restoration rail link between Russia, Donbass, Ukraine and Crimea»And has started the delivery of cargo to Ukrainian cities of Mariupol, Berdyansk and Kherson.

The creation of a “land corridor” between Russia and the Crimean peninsula, annexed by Moscow in 2014, has been an important part of Russia’s strategy since its offensive began.

According to Soigu, 6,489 Ukrainians, members of the army, have surrendered to Russian forces since what Russia callsspecial military operation“, Including 126 people in the last five days.

At the same time, the Kremlin said Ukraine needed to demine access points to its ports before the Russian military could allow ships to export grain.

“(President Vladimir) Putin has stated: Ukraine must deny access to its ports“Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peshkov told a news conference. “This will allow ships, once controlled by our army, to enter ports, load grain and, with our help, proceed to international waters.”