Ukraine accuses Moscow of hitting Odesa port despite grain deal

Kyiv: Ukraine has alleged that Russian missiles have struck the Odesa port where grain storage facilities are. This comes a day after Moscow and Kyiv agreed to unblock exports from the port.

The two nations had signed a deal to resume grain exports blocked by the war. The deal was brokered by the UN and Turkey. Russia had agreed not to attack ships carrying grain while they were sailing. The Odesa port is a key Black Sea terminal.

A Ukrainian military spokesman said that the Odesa port was struck specifically where grain shipments were being processed. "Two missiles hit exactly the port infrastructure," reported AFP.

Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Goncharenko said Russia fired four missiles and two of them were intercepted by the Ukrainian forces. He took to Twitter to share the news and wrote: "Minutes ago, Russian missiles hit Odesa port. It is less than one day after signing the grain agreement. That's all you should know about Russians and agreements. Give Ukraine weapons to protect Odesa - air defence, fighters, anti-ship missiles. Russia understands only force."

He added that people were hurt in the attack and did not specify how many were injured. Goncharenko further said that Putin has started to threaten the grain deal less than 24 hours after its signing. "He is weaponising everything." Russia has not responded to the claims of strikes.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack on Odesa shows that Moscow will find ways not to implement the grain deal. In a video posted on Telegram, he said: "This proves only one thing. No matter what Russia says and promises, it will find ways not to implement it."

Public broadcaster Suspilne, quoting the Ukrainian military reported that the attack did not cause significant damage as the storage area was not hit. Ukraine is still preparing to restart grain exports.