Russia Launches Fourth Attack on Ukrainian Grain Port, Escalating Tensions and Threatening Food Security

 In a sustained campaign targeting Ukraine's ability to export grain, Russia has launched attacks on the Ukrainian port city of Izmail for the fourth time in five days. The port area along the Danube River was attacked with Iranian-made Shahed drones, causing damage to grain silos and injuring a truck driver. Ukrainian officials have reported that the Russian military launched a total of 33 drones overnight, of which 25 were successfully shot down by the Ukrainian military. This escalation in attacks on Ukraine's grain export infrastructure follows Russia's exit from a U.N.-backed deal in mid-July, which allowed for the safe shipping of Ukrainian grain.

The attack in Izmail occurred just one day after a Russian missile struck a bustling market in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka, resulting in the death of 17 people and at least 32 wounded. This tragic incident overshadowed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's two-day visit to Ukraine, during which he aimed to assess Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russia and signal continued U.S. support for the Ukrainian fight. While touring northern Ukraine, Blinken expressed his deep concern over the death and destruction experienced by Ukrainians on a daily basis.

During his visit, Blinken also visited a school in the village of Yahidne, where hundreds of residents were imprisoned when Russian forces first occupied the village during the full-scale invasion. He highlighted the ongoing atrocities committed by Russia, stating that just the day before his visit, a market was bombed, resulting in the deaths of 17 or more innocent people. In addition to a show of support, Blinken announced a package of U.S. military and humanitarian aid totaling over $1 billion.

This aid includes $90.5 million in demining assistance, which will help Ukrainian demining teams clear unexploded ordnance from various regions, including a farm in the Kyiv region. This assistance comes at a critical time as Ukraine continues to face not only attacks on its ports but also an increase in drone attacks on Crimea and even Russia itself. While Russia's Defense Ministry has placed blame on Ukraine for the recent drone attacks in Russia, Ukrainian officials do not take credit for strikes inside Russia. Despite these accusations, the reality remains that innocent civilians and infrastructure on both sides are being targeted and impacted by these ongoing conflicts.