Russian attacks halt Odesa port traffic and put Ukraine’s grain exports at risk — NV infographic

Ukraine's port infrastructure has been under relentless Russian attacks since July 22, disrupting the flow of grain exports. Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotskyi confirmed the suspension of ship traffic to Ukraine's seaports due to Russian aggression. Russian forces intensified their assaults on ports and civilian ships in July, killing 10 people at the Golden Leo strike alone.

By August, 124 Russian attacks had been recorded on Ukrainian port infrastructure, ships in port, and vessels passing through the sea corridor. These strikes have halted loading operations at Odesa Oblast ports, forcing shipping companies to incur an extra $50 per metric ton due to increased logistics costs. The port blockade has slashed grain export capacity by one-third, pushing domestic wheat prices to below production costs.

Rail deliveries to Odesa ports plummeted 84.3% in August compared to July, threatening a potential $2 billion loss in the second half of 2026. By November, Ukraine might face an 11 million metric ton shortage of crop-storage space if sea exports remain suspended. As a response, Ukraine is relying more on rail, trucks, and Danube ports for exports, but alternative routes can only handle 2.5 million metric tons of agricultural products monthly, down from the usual volume of up to 4.5 million metric tons.