Third major Russian Black Sea grain terminal halts operations after Ukrainian attack

The KSK grain terminal in Novorossiysk, a crucial hub for Russian grain exports, has ceased operations following a Ukrainian attack. According to the terminal's owner, the Delo Group, the decision was made to safeguard workers and infrastructure. KSK is the last major grain terminal at Novorossiysk still functioning, as noted by The Bell, an independent Russian media outlet.

Two other terminals — the Novorossiysk Bread Products Plant, a subsidiary of OZK Group, and the Novorossiysk Grain Terminal owned by Demetra-Holding — had already ceased operations the previous day, according to Reuters, citing industry sources. These three terminals collectively possess a capacity of 26.1 million tons, which typically represents more than half of Russia's wheat exports.

On August 12, Ukraine launched a "unique" assault on the port of Novorossiysk, employing drones, missiles, and autonomous sea boats. The attack resulted in damage to several Russian naval vessels, 60 residential buildings in Novorossiysk, and three fatalities in Krasnodar Krai, including an 8-year-old child.