Russia can block alternative grain routes of Ukraine - NYT

According to journalists, for navigable companies looking for a way to deliver Ukrainian grain to the world markets, the options are getting smaller, which increases the trade crisis, which is expected to increase the pressure on world food prices. Alexis Ellander, the analyst of Kpler, said this route was considered safe because of his closeness to Romania, a NATO member. "It will potentially close this route," Ellender said.

In addition, vessels' insurance rates can increase, which will further undermine Ukraine's ability to export grain. According to analysts, given the exit of Russia from an agreement that guaranteed the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Black Sea, insurance premiums are likely to be excessively expensive for the shipowners.

However, some shipowners may decide to enter Ukrainian ports even at high risk if they receive guarantees from Turkish and Ukraine's governments, says Yuruk Isik, an analyst at Bosphorus Observer in Istanbul. According to Isika, although the Danube River was considered a safer option than the Black Sea, there were restrictions on grain export due to the restriction of port capacity, duplication of traffic at border crossings, lack of fuel and damaged roads.

The Danube River is also smaller than the Black Sea. This means that many small vessels are required to transport the same amount of grain that would fit on one larger vessel that goes through the Black Sea. "You need 20 instead of one ship," Isik said. He added that over time, the European Union could provide funding for new rail lines and structures to facilitate the flow of goods through the Danube, but it took years. "The Danube will never replace the Black Sea ports of Ukraine," Isik said.

On the night of July 24, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation again attacked the Odessa region, using Iranian drones-Kamikadze Shahd. The attacks lasted for four hours and harmed the Danube's port infrastructure. The forces of air defense were shot down by three enemy UAVs. As a result of the attacks, a grain hangar in Reni was destroyed and tanks for storing other cargoes were damaged. Six people were injured.