--- title: "Rostov Region Declares State of Emergency: Drone Attacks Paralyze Up to 80% of Russia's Grain Export Capacity" description: "The Governor of Rostov Region has declared a state of emergency after Azov and Black Sea grain ports were shut down following drone attacks. Wheat exports in August fell to 1.9 million tonnes — a 16-year low — with more than 80% of grain export capacity paralyzed." date: 2026-08-29T06:40:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/rostov-region-state-of-emergency-grain-export-en tags: [russia, grain-export, rostov-oblast, state-of-emergency, black-sea-ports, wheat, food-security] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Rostov Region Declares State of Emergency: Drone Attacks Paralyze Up to 80% of Russia's Grain Export Capacity ![Grain loading into a vessel's hold at a Russian port: export logistics disrupted by drone strikes in Rostov region](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/29/rostovskaya-oblast-chs-eksport-zerna/rostovskaya-oblast-chs-eksport-zerna-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Governor of Rostov Region Yuri Slyusar introduced a regional state of emergency due to problems with grain exports. - Since mid-July, Azov ports (up to 1.5 million tonnes of grain per month) have been shut down due to drone attacks, and in August the Black Sea terminals were also hit. - According to SovEcon estimates, more than 80% of Russia's grain export capacity has been paralyzed. - Wheat exports in August fell to 1.9 million tonnes — a 16-year low (2.3 times lower than in August 2025). - The Russian Ministry of Agriculture is searching for alternative routes, including Arctic ports, but the industry considers them insufficient. The Governor of Rostov Region, Yuri Slyusar, has introduced a regional state of emergency in the area. According to RBC-Ukraine, citing The Moscow Times, the cause was a sharp deterioration in grain shipments: the ports through which the region traditionally exported its produce have effectively ceased to operate. Rostov Region is one of Russia's key agricultural regions, accounting for about 10% of the country's total grain harvest, so the logistics breakdown has hit the entire supply chain. ### How Drone Attacks Shut Down the Ports According to the publication, since mid-July, ports on the Sea of Azov have ceased operations due to drone strikes, with up to 1.5 million tonnes of grain exported through them each month. In August, the largest Black Sea grain terminals were also hit by drones, leading to their shutdown. Arkady Zlochevsky, President of the Russian Grain Union, stated that the situation for farmers "looks very bad," and that shipments in the Azov basin have come to a complete halt. According to estimates by the SovEcon analytical center, the port problems have paralyzed more than 80% of the capacity for exporting Russian grain. ### Record-Low Wheat Exports The figures confirm the scale of the crisis: in August, wheat exports from Russia fell to 1.9 million tonnes — the lowest level in 16 years. Compared with August 2025, volumes dropped 2.3-fold, and compared with the five-year average — 2.6-fold. Thus, the simultaneous shutdown of Azov and Black Sea terminals has turned into a systemic failure affecting not just a single region but the entire Russian grain export sector. ### Searching for Alternative Routes The Russian Ministry of Agriculture, according to reports, is preparing for state grain purchases and is looking for alternative export routes, in particular through ports on the Arctic Ocean. However, industry representatives agree that there is currently no full substitute for the familiar Black Sea and Azov routes: Arctic ports cannot compensate for the lost volumes and logistics capacity in the short term. ### The Broader Context of Escalation The breakdown in Rostov Region is part of a wider picture. It was previously reported that Ukraine struck all three grain terminals in the port of Novorossiysk, through which more than 40% of Russia's grain exports were shipped, and authorities suspended exports until repairs were completed. In response, Russia intensified missile strikes on Ukrainian Black Sea ports and sank several vessels bound for Odesa. As a result, agricultural exports from both countries risk being significantly reduced or halted entirely, which, given the importance of Russia and Ukraine to global food markets, is causing deep concern and heightening the risk of a global grain supply crisis. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [One of Russia's main agricultural regions declares state of emergency: what is the reason](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/odin-iz-golovnih-agrarnih-regioniv-rf-zaprovadiv-1787984765.html) - Подтверждает введение режима ЧС в Ростовской области и аграрный контекст. - ["Shipments have come to a complete halt." One of Russia's main agricultural regions declares state of emergency due to ...](https://ru.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/polnostyu-ostanovilis-otgruzki-odin-izglavnih-agrarnih-regionov-rossii-vvel-rezhim-chsiz-za-nevozmozhnosti-vivezti-zerno-naeksport-a204699) - Первичный источник цитат (Злочевский) и фактов об остановке отгрузок; дата публикации 28.08.2026. - [One of Russia's main agricultural regions declares state of emergency over grain export problems](https://unn.ua/ru/news/odin-iz-glavnikh-agrarnikh-regionov-rf-vvyol-rezhim-chs-iz-za-problem-s-eksportom-zerna) - Независимое подтверждение причины — проблем с экспортом зерна. - [Rostov Region declares state of emergency due to grain buildup](https://iznanka.news/articles/Poslednee/Rostovskaya-oblast-vvela-CHS-iz-za-skopleniya-zerna.html) - Подтверждает факт ЧС; акцент на накоплении зерна как следствии блокировки экспорта. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Why was a state of emergency declared in Rostov Region? **A:** Governor Yuri Slyusar introduced a regional state of emergency due to the halt in grain exports: following drone attacks, the Azov and Black Sea ports through which the region shipped its produce ceased to operate. ### Q: By how much has Russian grain export declined? **A:** According to SovEcon estimates, more than 80% of grain export capacity has been paralyzed. Wheat exports in August fell to 1.9 million tonnes — a 16-year low, 2.3 times lower than the level in August 2025. ### Q: Have alternative export routes been found? **A:** The Russian Ministry of Agriculture is considering, among others, ports on the Arctic Ocean; however, industry representatives believe that there is currently no full substitute for the Black Sea and Azov routes.