On October 9, 2024, Russia again attacked Odessa's port infrastructure, with tragic consequences. The Panamanian-flagged civilian container ship Shui Spirit was fired upon and hit by a ballistic missile. Six people were killed in the attack, around 10 were injured, and the death toll could rise as rescue operations continue. This is the third such case in recent days aimed at disrupting Ukrainian export chains that play a key role in supplying food to needy regions in Africa and Asia.
In recent days, Russia has carried out several attacks against civilian ships and food export facilities. On October 7, a missile struck the Palau-flagged vessel Optima, killing a Ukrainian worker and injuring five foreign crew members. A day earlier, the St. Kitts and Nevis-flagged ship Paresa, loaded with Ukrainian corn for international markets, was damaged. These attacks demonstrate Russia's intent to disrupt global food chains, which is particularly worrying given the current global food crisis.
Following Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July 2023, the number of attacks on Ukraine's grain export infrastructure increased significantly. Over 300,000 tons of grain have already been destroyed in recent months, which seriously threatens the food security of hundreds of millions of people. This is particularly acute in North African and Middle Eastern countries such as Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon and Yemen, where supply disruptions are driving up food prices and exacerbating humanitarian crises. Sub-Saharan Africa is most vulnerable to mass starvation.
These events underscore the importance of the food security clause in the Peace Formula proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. At a time when attacks on ports and civilian shipping threaten the food security of many countries, this point takes on particular importance. The formula for peace encompasses not only military aspects but also addressing global challenges such as ensuring stable food supplies and preventing humanitarian crises. Support for this plan by the international community will be a step towards resolving the conflict and solving the global problems of security and food stability.
A second peace summit is expected to be held soon to discuss key issues including food security. This summit plays an important role in coordinating international efforts to stabilize food supplies. The more countries that join this process, the greater the chances for an effective resolution of the humanitarian problems related to the war and the restoration of peace.
The EU is already taking steps to combat the consequences of the Russian attacks. European countries are discussing introducing additional sanctions against Russia and providing Ukraine with air defense systems to protect critical infrastructure. Such measures are necessary to protect Ukrainian ports and ensure stable grain exports to avoid further worsening of the global food crisis. Each new Russian attack deepens the crisis, endangering the lives of millions of people dependent on Ukrainian grain exports.