The Ukrainian delegation at the OSCE Forum on Security Cooperation presented shocking statistics on destruction over four and a half years of full-scale war. According to official data from Kyiv, Russian forces have destroyed 1,054 objects of Ukraine's port infrastructure and struck 232 civilian vessels. These attacks, according to Ukrainian diplomats, pose a direct threat to global food security.
Scale of Destruction and Human Casualties
The situation in the Black Sea remains extremely tense. The Ukrainian side reports that only in the summer of 2026, more than 30 vessels were hit. Systematic attacks target not only port facilities but also civilian cargo ships and grain storage facilities. As a result of these incidents, 307 citizens of Ukraine and other states have been killed or injured.
Escalation Amidst the Harvest Campaign
Kyiv accuses Moscow of attempting to paralyze the operation of Ukrainian ports precisely during the peak of the harvest season to halt maritime grain exports. A vivid example of this escalation was the events that occurred just before an emergency session of the UN Security Council. Russian forces struck a vessel flying the flag of Palau carrying corn. On the same day, ships that had been blocked in the ports of the Mykolaiv region since 2022 came under fire.
A similar incident occurred at the end of July: Russia attacked a civilian vessel flying the flag of Palau twice, which was carrying nearly 2,800 tons of corn unloaded from ports in the Odesa region.
Global Consequences and the Threat of Famine
The Ukrainian delegation warns that the continuation of such attacks could have catastrophic consequences for millions of people. Countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East face the threat of food supply interruptions. The statement contains a stern appeal: "Millions of families may face famine if Russian terror is not stopped".
Kyiv's Position: Right to Self-Defense
In response to the threats, Ukraine has declared its readiness to use all available means to ensure freedom of navigation. The state intends to protect sea routes, port infrastructure, and the civilian population, relying on Article 51 of the UN Charter, which enshrines the right to self-defense.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukrainian intelligence possesses data on plans for new Russian strikes against the country, including attacks on vessels. Currently, Kyiv is preparing countermeasures against these intentions.
