Faced with the global food crisis, Ukraine resumed grain exports for the first time since the Russian invasion. A first boat left the port of Odessa on Monday August 1, even if kyiv judged that it was “too early” to rejoice. Ukraine, meanwhile, claims to have received new heavy artillery systems, and President Emmanuel Macron spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, for the first time since June 16.
First grain ship leaves Odessa
Ukraine resumed grain exports for the first time since the Russian invasion began six months ago. The freighter “Razoni left the port of Odessa bound for the port of Tripoli in Lebanon. He is expected on August 2 in Istanbul., in Turkey, where it will be inspected, announced the Turkish Ministry of Defense. According to the Ukrainian authorities, the boat is loaded with 26,000 tons of corn. Cereals have already left Ukraine since the Russian invasion on February 24, but from Berdyansk, on the Sea of Azov, an area occupied by the Russians.
This departure took place in accordance with the terms of an international agreement which should make it possible to alleviate the world food crisis. This text signed on July 22 in Istanbul between Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations allows the resumption of Ukrainian exports under international supervision.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky felt he was “too early” to rejoice after the resumption of Ukrainian grain exports from the port of Odessa unanimously hailed. “At present, it is too early to draw conclusions and make predictions”he said in his daily video address. “Let’s wait and see how the deal will work out and whether security will really be guaranteed.”
kyiv receives new Western arms deliveries
Ukraine says it has received new multiple rocket launcher systems from the United States and Germany. A total of four new US HiMars rocket launchers and the first of a batch of German Mars IIs have arrived in Ukraine, Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said on Twitter. kyiv routinely calls for these armaments, believing they can alter the dynamics on the battlefield.
The United States, meanwhile, has announced that it will send new weapons to Ukrainian forces worth $550 million, including ammunition for increasingly important rocket launchers in the battle. This aid goes in particular “include more ammunition for (…) HiMars systems”White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters.
This brings the total amount of military assistance given to Ukraine since President Joe Biden took office to more than $8 billion, he said. The new aid will also include 75,000 155mm rounds, the Pentagon said in a statement.
Emmanuel Macron talks with Volodymyr Zelensky
The two leaders spoke by telephone for 1h30, for their first exchange since their meeting on June 16 in kyiv. During the exchange, Emmanuel Macron “reaffirmed its support for the Ukrainian people and their resistance”while saying “his determination to make sure” that “war crimes” who “multiply” not “don’t go unpunished”announced the French presidency.
He again asked Volodymyr Zelensky about “its military, humanitarian and economic needs”confirming to him “France’s desire to continue supporting the Ukrainian armed forces in order to enable them to resist Russian aggression”, according to the Elysee. The French president also said “its desire to provide short-term macroeconomic support” to Ukraine, without going into details.
Emmanuel Macron also reconsidered his statements during his recent tour of Cameroon, Benin and Guinea-Bissau, during which he warned African countries against “Hybrid Warfare” led by Moscow, in particular on “the information plan”. The two presidents “agreed to continue their joint efforts to counter Russian disinformation globally”specifies the Elysée.
Shelling continues on the ground
On the ground, Russian strikes continued on Ukrainian cities, including Mykolaiv, in the south, where one of the country’s most important agricultural entrepreneurs, Oleksiï Vadatoursky, 74, was killed with his wife on Sunday. Volodymyr Zelensky paid tribute to a “hero of Ukraine”.
The city was heavily shelled again on Monday, according to regional governor Vitali Kim, who reported three people killed. “The city is being destroyed”he wrote on his Telegram account. “But luck is that there are few dead, few injured.” Mykolaiv is close to the front in southern Ukraine, where Kyiv forces are conducting a counter-offensive.
In the neighboring region of Kherson, a city taken by the Russians on March 3, Ukraine said it had taken over 46 occupied localities. AFP journalists also noted intense Russian bombardment of the eastern town of Bakhmout. Three civilians were killed on Sunday in the Donetsk region, including two in Bakhmout, and 16 others injured, local authorities said on Monday.