Ukraine remains defiant as Russia pounds Odessa and grain facilities
ODESSA, Ukraine — If the largest cathedral in this besieged port city survived Joseph Stalin, it will survive Vladimir Putin, said Myroslav Vdodovych, the chief priest of Transfiguration Cathedral, less than a day after a barrage of Russian missiles ripped the church apart alongside 24 other architectural monuments across the city.
Odessa, a critical southern port city, has been under nightly missile attacks since Russia’s president last week canceled a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey that allowed Ukraine to export its grain, lessening a global food crisis that had put a strain on the developing world.
Ukraine has responded with defiance — launching drone attacks on buildings in Moscow and on an ammunition depot in Crimea — while cleanup crews and parishioners cleared debris from the cathedral’s littered floors.
Read the full story here.
ODESSA, Ukraine — If the largest cathedral in this besieged port city survived Joseph Stalin, it will survive Vladimir Putin, said Myroslav Vdodovych, the chief priest of Transfiguration Cathedral, less than a day after a barrage of Russian missiles ripped the church apart alongside 24 other architectural monuments across the city.
Odessa, a critical southern port city, has been under nightly missile attacks since Russia’s president last week canceled a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey that allowed Ukraine to export its grain, lessening a global food crisis that had put a strain on the developing world.
Ukraine has responded with defiance — launching drone attacks on buildings in Moscow and on an ammunition depot in Crimea — while cleanup crews and parishioners cleared debris from the cathedral’s littered floors.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Russia said it had the “right to take tough retaliatory measures” after claiming it thwarted two drone attacks in Moscow on Monday, which shattered windows on the 17th and 18th floors of a skyscraper but left no casualties.
- As a result of Russian airstrikes on Odessa, 146 residential buildings were damaged, according to the Ukrainian armed forces.
- Ukraine’s defense minister said the country will continue to launch attacks on Crimea and the Crimean Bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge, which connects the peninsula to Russia.
- Experts found land mines on the periphery of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant during a walk-through this week, International Atomic Energy Agency Director Rafael Mariano Grossi said.
- Talks on resuming the Black Sea grain initiative are not happening, Russia’s deputy foreign minister Sergei Vershinin said Tuesday, according to Reuters.
More live updates here.
- Russia said it had the “right to take tough retaliatory measures” after claiming it thwarted two drone attacks in Moscow on Monday, which shattered windows on the 17th and 18th floors of a skyscraper but left no casualties.
- As a result of Russian airstrikes on Odessa, 146 residential buildings were damaged, according to the Ukrainian armed forces.
- Ukraine’s defense minister said the country will continue to launch attacks on Crimea and the Crimean Bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge, which connects the peninsula to Russia.
- Experts found land mines on the periphery of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant during a walk-through this week, International Atomic Energy Agency Director Rafael Mariano Grossi said.
- Talks on resuming the Black Sea grain initiative are not happening, Russia’s deputy foreign minister Sergei Vershinin said Tuesday, according to Reuters.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Russia’s lower house has passed legislation that will raise the country’s maximum draft age from 27 to 30 as Moscow scrambles to find fighters for its war in Ukraine. The changes will be enacted on Jan. 1, according to an official Telegram channel. Current Russian law requires men between 18 and 27 to complete one year of military service.
- The United States will send Ukraine an additional $400 million in security assistance, the Pentagon announced. The package — which includes Stryker combat vehicles, small Hornet drones and a restock of artillery ammunition — adds to the more than $100 billion of aid that the United States has sent since the beginning of the war.
- Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has changed position ‘in preparedness to enforce a blockade on Ukraine,’ Britain’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday, noting the change since Moscow pulled out of the grain deal earlier this month.
More live updates here.
- Russia’s lower house has passed legislation that will raise the country’s maximum draft age from 27 to 30 as Moscow scrambles to find fighters for its war in Ukraine. The changes will be enacted on Jan. 1, according to an official Telegram channel. Current Russian law requires men between 18 and 27 to complete one year of military service.
- The United States will send Ukraine an additional $400 million in security assistance, the Pentagon announced. The package — which includes Stryker combat vehicles, small Hornet drones and a restock of artillery ammunition — adds to the more than $100 billion of aid that the United States has sent since the beginning of the war.
- Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has changed position ‘in preparedness to enforce a blockade on Ukraine,’ Britain’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday, noting the change since Moscow pulled out of the grain deal earlier this month.
More live updates here.
U.S. in no hurry to provide Ukraine with long-range missiles
The Biden administration is holding firm, for now at least, on its refusal to send long-range Army missiles to Ukraine despite mounting pressure from U.S. lawmakers and pleas from the government in Kyiv, according to U.S. officials.
Disappointment at the slow pace of Ukraine’s counteroffensive against entrenched Russian forces and a newly equivocal tone by President Biden have led to widespread speculation that the missiles will soon follow the path taken by other U.S. weapons systems that were first denied but ultimately approved during the 17 months of the war.
In late May, Biden appeared to alter his previously firm “no” on the possibility of ATACMS, the Army Tactical Missile System, saying for the first time that it was “still in play.” Weeks later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he and Biden had spoken about the missiles at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, but that no decision had been made.
Read the full story here.
The Biden administration is holding firm, for now at least, on its refusal to send long-range Army missiles to Ukraine despite mounting pressure from U.S. lawmakers and pleas from the government in Kyiv, according to U.S. officials.
Disappointment at the slow pace of Ukraine’s counteroffensive against entrenched Russian forces and a newly equivocal tone by President Biden have led to widespread speculation that the missiles will soon follow the path taken by other U.S. weapons systems that were first denied but ultimately approved during the 17 months of the war.
In late May, Biden appeared to alter his previously firm “no” on the possibility of ATACMS, the Army Tactical Missile System, saying for the first time that it was “still in play.” Weeks later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he and Biden had spoken about the missiles at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, but that no decision had been made.
Read the full story here.
Putin courts Africa at summit, but many African leaders stay away
Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with African leaders in St. Petersburg on Thursday in a piece of diplomatic theater designed to portray Russia as a great power with many global friends, despite its war in Ukraine.
But only 16 African heads of state will attend — fewer than half of the 43 who came to the first Russia-Africa summit in 2019, according one official, a striking disappointment for the Kremlin despite a flurry of diplomatic efforts in Africa and a sign of dismay in African nations about a war that has raised food and fuel prices, hurting vulnerable populations. An additional 10 African states are sending prime ministers, Ushakov said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov blamed the West for the reduced number, claiming there had been “absolutely unconcealed brazen interference of the United States, France and other states” to dissuade them from attending. “This is a fact, this is outrageous,” he said.
Read more here.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with African leaders in St. Petersburg on Thursday in a piece of diplomatic theater designed to portray Russia as a great power with many global friends, despite its war in Ukraine.
But only 16 African heads of state will attend — fewer than half of the 43 who came to the first Russia-Africa summit in 2019, according one official, a striking disappointment for the Kremlin despite a flurry of diplomatic efforts in Africa and a sign of dismay in African nations about a war that has raised food and fuel prices, hurting vulnerable populations. An additional 10 African states are sending prime ministers, Ushakov said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov blamed the West for the reduced number, claiming there had been “absolutely unconcealed brazen interference of the United States, France and other states” to dissuade them from attending. “This is a fact, this is outrageous,” he said.
Read more here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said talks with his North Korean counterpart in Pyongyang would “contribute to strengthening cooperation between our defense agencies.”
- Ukrainian forces are mounting an attack along Russia’s front lines in the Zaporizhzhia region, Russian and Ukrainian officials said Wednesday.
- Western-provided tanks are involved in Ukraine’s push to take ground in the Zaporizhzhia region, Vladimir Rogov, a Russian official in Ukraine, said on Telegram.
- Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has changed position “in preparedness to enforce a blockade on Ukraine,” Britain’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday.
- Russia’s Federal Security Service has arrested renowned Russian sociologist Boris Kagarlitsky on charges of “justifying terrorism,” sate-controlled news agency Tass reported.
- Only 16 African heads of state were set to attend a Russia-Africa summit on Thursday despite last-ditch diplomatic overtures.
More live updates here.
- Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said talks with his North Korean counterpart in Pyongyang would “contribute to strengthening cooperation between our defense agencies.”
- Ukrainian forces are mounting an attack along Russia’s front lines in the Zaporizhzhia region, Russian and Ukrainian officials said Wednesday.
- Western-provided tanks are involved in Ukraine’s push to take ground in the Zaporizhzhia region, Vladimir Rogov, a Russian official in Ukraine, said on Telegram.
- Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has changed position “in preparedness to enforce a blockade on Ukraine,” Britain’s Defense Ministry said Wednesday.
- Russia’s Federal Security Service has arrested renowned Russian sociologist Boris Kagarlitsky on charges of “justifying terrorism,” sate-controlled news agency Tass reported.
- Only 16 African heads of state were set to attend a Russia-Africa summit on Thursday despite last-ditch diplomatic overtures.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Ukraine has launched a new push against Russian lines, achieving some gains in the south, Kyiv said. A U.S. official said it was unclear “what the purpose” of these moves may be, adding that it could be the result of fresh troops probing Russian lines or replacing fatigued units.
- Ukraine’s military made advances south of the town of Orikhiv in the country’s southern Zaporizhzhia region, The Washington Post reported, citing Ukrainian officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters.
- Ukraine’s counteroffensive is not a stalemate, but it is not progressing as quickly as hoped, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Wednesday.
- Russian-backed actors are “amplifying incorrect statements such as that the Swedish state is behind the desecration of holy scriptures,” Swedish Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin said, according to Reuters.
More live updates here.
- Ukraine has launched a new push against Russian lines, achieving some gains in the south, Kyiv said. A U.S. official said it was unclear “what the purpose” of these moves may be, adding that it could be the result of fresh troops probing Russian lines or replacing fatigued units.
- Ukraine’s military made advances south of the town of Orikhiv in the country’s southern Zaporizhzhia region, The Washington Post reported, citing Ukrainian officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters.
- Ukraine’s counteroffensive is not a stalemate, but it is not progressing as quickly as hoped, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Wednesday.
- Russian-backed actors are “amplifying incorrect statements such as that the Swedish state is behind the desecration of holy scriptures,” Swedish Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin said, according to Reuters.
More live updates here.
Ukraine launches new push, claims gains against Russians in south
ODESSA, Ukraine — Ukrainian forces have launched a new push in their counteroffensive against Russian invaders and made advances south of Orikhiv in the country’s Zaporizhzhia region, officials said Wednesday.
Kyiv’s goal is to reach the Sea of Azov, which would sever Moscow’s land bridge to occupied Crimea, a key conduit for moving Russian troops, equipment and supplies into Ukraine.
Ukrainian forces remain far from the sea, which lies around 60 miles south of Orikhiv, according to a Ukrainian official familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter.
Read the full story here.
ODESSA, Ukraine — Ukrainian forces have launched a new push in their counteroffensive against Russian invaders and made advances south of Orikhiv in the country’s Zaporizhzhia region, officials said Wednesday.
Kyiv’s goal is to reach the Sea of Azov, which would sever Moscow’s land bridge to occupied Crimea, a key conduit for moving Russian troops, equipment and supplies into Ukraine.
Ukrainian forces remain far from the sea, which lies around 60 miles south of Orikhiv, according to a Ukrainian official familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter.
Read the full story here.
The war in Ukraine is spurring a revolution in drone warfare using AI
In an open test field in rural Ukraine, a drone equipped with a bomb lost connection with its human operator — but instead of crashing to the ground, the drone accelerated toward its target and destroyed it.
The drone avoided the fate of thousands of other uncrewed aircraft in this war by relying on new artificial intelligence software that accounts for the electronic interference now commonly deployed by Russia. AI capabilities help the drone complete its mission even if its target moves, representing a significant upgrade from existing drones that track specific coordinates.
Such AI technology, under development by a growing number of Ukrainian drone companies, is one of several innovative leaps underway in Kyiv’s drone market that are accelerating and democratizing the lethality of unmanned warfare — especially crucial for Ukraine’s outgunned military, which is fighting a better-equipped Russian enemy.
Read the full story here.
In an open test field in rural Ukraine, a drone equipped with a bomb lost connection with its human operator — but instead of crashing to the ground, the drone accelerated toward its target and destroyed it.
The drone avoided the fate of thousands of other uncrewed aircraft in this war by relying on new artificial intelligence software that accounts for the electronic interference now commonly deployed by Russia. AI capabilities help the drone complete its mission even if its target moves, representing a significant upgrade from existing drones that track specific coordinates.
Such AI technology, under development by a growing number of Ukrainian drone companies, is one of several innovative leaps underway in Kyiv’s drone market that are accelerating and democratizing the lethality of unmanned warfare — especially crucial for Ukraine’s outgunned military, which is fighting a better-equipped Russian enemy.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is seeking to boost ties with African leaders at a St. Petersburg summit, told his visitors that Russia could replace Ukrainian grain, “both on a commercial basis and free of charge to the most needy countries in Africa.”
- Ukrainian officials say the military launched a new push against Russian lines, achieving some gains in the south, The Post reported.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the city of Dnipro as Kyiv pushed ahead with its counteroffensive farther south.
- Russia’s defense minister handed a letter from President Vladimir Putin to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, North Korean state media reported.
- Odessa’s governor said Russian forces hit port infrastructure in the Black Sea region in an overnight missile attack.
- Ukraine’s counteroffensive is not a stalemate but is not progressing as quickly as hoped, according to U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.
More live updates here.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is seeking to boost ties with African leaders at a St. Petersburg summit, told his visitors that Russia could replace Ukrainian grain, “both on a commercial basis and free of charge to the most needy countries in Africa.”
- Ukrainian officials say the military launched a new push against Russian lines, achieving some gains in the south, The Post reported.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the city of Dnipro as Kyiv pushed ahead with its counteroffensive farther south.
- Russia’s defense minister handed a letter from President Vladimir Putin to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, North Korean state media reported.
- Odessa’s governor said Russian forces hit port infrastructure in the Black Sea region in an overnight missile attack.
- Ukraine’s counteroffensive is not a stalemate but is not progressing as quickly as hoped, according to U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Ukraine has reported gains in the southeast after launching a new counteroffensive push. In a video shared by President Volodymyr Zelensky, troops said they had recaptured the village of Staromaiorske in the Donetsk region, which would be the first time Ukraine has reclaimed a village from Russia in weeks. The Post could not independently verify the claim.
- In its latest military push, Kyiv aims to reach the Sea of Azov, which would sever Moscow’s land bridge to occupied Crimea and interrupt a key military conduit, though its forces still remain far from the sea.
- Putin said “most of the armed clashes” have taken place in Zaporizhzhia, describing the southern region as the “principal attack area.”
- The U.S. Senate passed a defense policy bill that would extend the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative through fiscal year 2027, quashing partisan efforts to limit aid to Kyiv. The bill is expected to spark heated negotiations with the House.
More live updates here.
- Ukraine has reported gains in the southeast after launching a new counteroffensive push. In a video shared by President Volodymyr Zelensky, troops said they had recaptured the village of Staromaiorske in the Donetsk region, which would be the first time Ukraine has reclaimed a village from Russia in weeks. The Post could not independently verify the claim.
- In its latest military push, Kyiv aims to reach the Sea of Azov, which would sever Moscow’s land bridge to occupied Crimea and interrupt a key military conduit, though its forces still remain far from the sea.
- Putin said “most of the armed clashes” have taken place in Zaporizhzhia, describing the southern region as the “principal attack area.”
- The U.S. Senate passed a defense policy bill that would extend the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative through fiscal year 2027, quashing partisan efforts to limit aid to Kyiv. The bill is expected to spark heated negotiations with the House.
More live updates here.
On southern front, Ukrainian forces aim to smash through Russian defenses
KYIV, Ukraine — Intense fighting raged along Ukraine’s front lines Thursday, according to officials in Kyiv, as Ukrainian troops made slow but steady gains in their ongoing counteroffensive to drive a wedge through the Russian-occupied south.
To the south of the eastern city of Bakhmut — which fell to Russia in May after months of vicious fighting — Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Kyiv’s forces were “gradually moving forward.” North of the city, Ukrainian troops were “repelling enemy attacks,” she said.
“Battles are quite tough,” Maliar wrote in a post on social media. “The enemy is firing intensively.”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a video on his official Telegram channel late Thursday that showed soldiers from Ukraine’s 35th Brigade claiming to have liberated the village of Staromaiorske, in the Donetsk region.
Read the full story here.
KYIV, Ukraine — Intense fighting raged along Ukraine’s front lines Thursday, according to officials in Kyiv, as Ukrainian troops made slow but steady gains in their ongoing counteroffensive to drive a wedge through the Russian-occupied south.
To the south of the eastern city of Bakhmut — which fell to Russia in May after months of vicious fighting — Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Kyiv’s forces were “gradually moving forward.” North of the city, Ukrainian troops were “repelling enemy attacks,” she said.
“Battles are quite tough,” Maliar wrote in a post on social media. “The enemy is firing intensively.”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a video on his official Telegram channel late Thursday that showed soldiers from Ukraine’s 35th Brigade claiming to have liberated the village of Staromaiorske, in the Donetsk region.
Read the full story here.
African leaders urge Putin to end blockade of Ukraine’s grain
RIGA, Latvia — African Union Chairman Azali Assoumani called on Russia to allow the export of both Ukrainian and Russian grain at the opening session of the Russia-Africa summit on Thursday, amid fears that the blockade will lead to a spike in food prices that would worsen a food security emergency in the Horn of Africa.
The appeal comes after Moscow renewed its blockade on Ukrainian ports last week, preventing Kyiv from shipping grain, and attacked Ukrainian grain stores and port facilities.
In his address at the summit in St. Petersburg, Assoumani, the president of Comoros, an island nation off the coast of East Africa, said that opening export access to both Ukrainian and Russian grain would save African lives.
Read the full story here.
RIGA, Latvia — African Union Chairman Azali Assoumani called on Russia to allow the export of both Ukrainian and Russian grain at the opening session of the Russia-Africa summit on Thursday, amid fears that the blockade will lead to a spike in food prices that would worsen a food security emergency in the Horn of Africa.
The appeal comes after Moscow renewed its blockade on Ukrainian ports last week, preventing Kyiv from shipping grain, and attacked Ukrainian grain stores and port facilities.
In his address at the summit in St. Petersburg, Assoumani, the president of Comoros, an island nation off the coast of East Africa, said that opening export access to both Ukrainian and Russian grain would save African lives.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Ukraine has reported gains in the southeast after launching a new counteroffensive push. Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk region said they had recaptured a village, which would be the first that Kyiv reclaimed from Russia in weeks.
- Moscow claimed to have shot down two Ukrainian missiles inside Russian territory, with one intercepted missile landing in the town of Taganrog in the Rostov region, injuring nine people, according to local officials.
- Russia’s Defense Ministry said Ukrainian forces mounted offensive actions in Zaporizhzhia on Friday.
- Putin said “Russia’s attention to Africa is growing steadily” and that this “is reflected in our plans to step up our diplomatic presence on the continent.
- The Wagner Group’s presence in Belarus has triggered concern about the security of Ukraine’s northern border, The Post reports.
- Russia claimed to have intercepted two Ukrainian missiles Friday.
More live updates here.
- Ukraine has reported gains in the southeast after launching a new counteroffensive push. Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk region said they had recaptured a village, which would be the first that Kyiv reclaimed from Russia in weeks.
- Moscow claimed to have shot down two Ukrainian missiles inside Russian territory, with one intercepted missile landing in the town of Taganrog in the Rostov region, injuring nine people, according to local officials.
- Russia’s Defense Ministry said Ukrainian forces mounted offensive actions in Zaporizhzhia on Friday.
- Putin said “Russia’s attention to Africa is growing steadily” and that this “is reflected in our plans to step up our diplomatic presence on the continent.
- The Wagner Group’s presence in Belarus has triggered concern about the security of Ukraine’s northern border, The Post reports.
- Russia claimed to have intercepted two Ukrainian missiles Friday.
More live updates here.
Here's the latest from Ukraine:
- High-precision missiles were used in the strike on Dnipro’s city center, which destroyed the buildings and caused no deaths, the mayor said on Telegram.
- Russia’s request for Cherkasov’s extradition was conditionally approved by the top court in Brazil earlier this year, the country’s Justice Ministry said.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law moving the date of Christmas from Jan. 7 to Dec. 25, as part of an effort to “renounce Russian heritage.”
- Russia claimed it intercepted two Ukrainian missiles in Russian territory, including one that local officials said landed in the town of Taganrog in the Rostov region on Friday, injuring nine people.
- The International Olympic Committee invited Ukrainian fencer Olga Kharlan to compete at next year’s Paris Games after she was disqualified from the Fencing World Championships in Milan for refusing a mandatory handshake with Russian opponent Anna Smirnova.
More live updates here.
- High-precision missiles were used in the strike on Dnipro’s city center, which destroyed the buildings and caused no deaths, the mayor said on Telegram.
- Russia’s request for Cherkasov’s extradition was conditionally approved by the top court in Brazil earlier this year, the country’s Justice Ministry said.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law moving the date of Christmas from Jan. 7 to Dec. 25, as part of an effort to “renounce Russian heritage.”
- Russia claimed it intercepted two Ukrainian missiles in Russian territory, including one that local officials said landed in the town of Taganrog in the Rostov region on Friday, injuring nine people.
- The International Olympic Committee invited Ukrainian fencer Olga Kharlan to compete at next year’s Paris Games after she was disqualified from the Fencing World Championships in Milan for refusing a mandatory handshake with Russian opponent Anna Smirnova.
More live updates here.
What Russia’s exit from grain deal means for wheat prices
Russia’s announcement that it would renew its naval blockade on Ukrainian ports has revived concerns about wheat prices and the impact of Russia’s invasion on global hunger.
Russia had previously allowed grains and other agricultural products to pass through the Black Sea thanks to an agreement brokered by the United Nations several months after the invasion. Since then, almost 33 million tons of grains and seed oil products have been exported under this Black Sea Grain Initiative. At a time when the production and availability of food is being disrupted by geopolitical conflict, climate change and other factors the agreement helped reduce global food prices by more than 23 percent, United Nations secretary general António Guterres said this week.
Read the full story here.
Russia’s announcement that it would renew its naval blockade on Ukrainian ports has revived concerns about wheat prices and the impact of Russia’s invasion on global hunger.
Russia had previously allowed grains and other agricultural products to pass through the Black Sea thanks to an agreement brokered by the United Nations several months after the invasion. Since then, almost 33 million tons of grains and seed oil products have been exported under this Black Sea Grain Initiative. At a time when the production and availability of food is being disrupted by geopolitical conflict, climate change and other factors the agreement helped reduce global food prices by more than 23 percent, United Nations secretary general António Guterres said this week.
Read the full story here.