Russian forces intensify shelling near Kinburn Spit to prevent Mykolaiv region from joining grain deal

Operational Command South's press center head Natalia Humeniuk said this on Channel 24.

“The situation remains steadily tense, as the occupiers have mined the perimeters of the settlements so that local residents cannot escape and serve as a kind of human shield,” she said about the situation near the Kinburn Spit.

According to her, the enemy has intensified combat operations in this area to prevent the Mykolaiv region from joining the grain deal.

Another goal is to distract the attention of the Defense Forces.

“They (the occupying Russian forces - ed.) are now intensifying their shelling and counter-battery fighting in this area to distract the attention of the Defense Forces to this frontline and disperse the Armed Forces' efforts in different directions. The Russian troops are experiencing strong pressure from Zaporizhzhia and other directions,” said Humeniuk.

Situation with Ukrainian grain exports

The agreement, known as the Black Sea Grain Initiative, was concluded between Russia and Ukraine with the mediation of the UN and Turkey in July 2022 in Istanbul. It has since been extended several times.

In January, the Ministry of Infrastructure said that as a result of Russian actions in the Bosphorus, the world loses millions of tons of Ukrainian food every month. The occupying Russian forces are hampering the inspection of ships that export grain to third world countries.

In March 2023, the Russian Federation informed the parties to the agreement that the agreement would be extended for only 60 days instead of 120. These agreements were due to expire on May 18.

To extend it, the Russians demanded:

• reconnecting Rosselkhozbank to SWIFT
• resumption of supply of agricultural machinery, spare parts and service
• lifting restrictions on insurance and reinsurance plus lifting the ban on access to ports
• resumption of the Togliatti-Odesa ammonia pipeline
• unblocking foreign assets and accounts of Russian companies related to the production and transportation of food and fertilizers.

On May 17, the grain deal was extended for 60 days. The Russians' demands were not met. At the same time, Turkish President Recep Erdogan said that from now on, Turkish vessels would also be able to call at the ports of Mykolaiv and Olvia. Ukraine officially approached its international partners with a proposal to include the port of Mykolaiv in the grain deal back in November 2022.

On June 5, the Russian Federation said it saw no prospects for extending the agreement in July, and on June 22, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said it did not see any readiness on the part of the Russians to continue the grain initiative.

Ukraine is looking for alternative ways to supply grain to Africa, Europe, and Asia.

On June 23, it was announced that Ukraine would participate in the construction of a grain terminal in Nigeria.