Russia unilaterally suspended cooperation on the grain deal with Ukraine because of the alleged early morning attack on the port city of Sevastopol. The Kremlin claims the blasts damaged two naval vessels monitoring food exports.

Russia claims Britain was also involved in a so-called drone strike which the Kremlin says was carried out by Ukraine. The statement by the Russian Ministry of Defense speaks of a “terrorist attack by the regime in Kyiv with the participation of British experts”.

‘False Pretense’

Ukraine denies drone strike and says Russia itself is responsible for the blasts. “Moscow is using a false pretext to block the grain corridor,” Ukraine’s foreign minister tweeted. Koeleba says he has repeatedly warned that Russia is trying to undermine the grain deal.

The important agreement signed in the summer between Russia, Turkey, the UN and Ukraine allowed the resumption of exports of Ukrainian grain and other foodstuffs to large parts of the world. Through inspections, arrangements were made for the safe passage of the grain ships. As a result of the war, there was a major food shortage around the world.

The British government has not yet responded to Russian allegations of involvement in the alleged attack. Russia’s ambassador to the UN said the UN Security Council would meet to discuss the matter.

Reuters reports that Russia will withdraw from the grain business immediately and indefinitely. The news agency concluded this from a letter from the Russian government to UN chief Guterres.

“Water Drones at Sevastopol”

In the first reports of the explosions in the port of Sevastopol, Russia said only that “nothing was hit in the city”. But later in the day it became known that naval ships had suffered damage in the port.

The Russian Ministry of Defense only speaks of minor damage. According to Moscow, the attack was carried out by seven naval drones and nine aerial drones. All flying drones were shot down, according to Russia.

A BBC correspondent shares this video, which is said to show one of the water drones attacking off Sebastopol:

A Ukrainian official said after the blasts that Russian military personnel were themselves responsible. The armed forces are said to have “negligently” handled explosives.

The United Nations has contacted the Russian authorities about the suspension. A spokesman emphasizes that the grain deal must be maintained at all costs, because the well-being of millions of people worldwide depends on it.