Ukrainian drones damage Russian grain export terminal on Kerch Strait, source says
Impact of Drone Attacks on Russian and Ukrainian Grain Exports
Significant Damage to Taman Port Grain Terminal
MOSCOW, July 30 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian drone attack has inflicted "significant damage" on a major grain export terminal at Russia's Taman port on the Kerch Strait linking the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, an agricultural market source told Reuters on Thursday.
Ownership and Capacity of the Damaged Terminal
The terminal in Russia's southern Krasnodar region is controlled by Demetra, one of Russia's largest agricultural firms, and has a capacity of 5 million metric tons. Demetra declined to comment.
Escalating Attacks on Agricultural Export Facilities
Russia, the world's largest wheat exporter and Ukraine, also a major agricultural exporter, have been attacking each other's agricultural export facilities and commercial vessels in the Black Sea area in recent weeks.
Shipping Disruptions in the Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait
Shipping in the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait, which previously handled up to one-quarter of Russian grain exports, has been halted due to drone attacks since July 10.
Redirection of Russian Grain Exports
Russian exporters have redirected grain from southern regions away from the Sea of Azov to deep-sea grain terminals in the Black Sea by truck and rail. However, attacks on Black Sea ports have also increased.
Impact on International Wheat Prices
International wheat prices have been rising on concerns over Black Sea supplies amid the attacks.
Separate Attack on Sunflower Oil Export Facility
In a separate attack on Thursday, Ukrainian drones hit a sunflower oil export facility at the port of Taman, three agricultural market sources told Reuters. The facility is owned by Efko, one of Russia's leading agriculture and food processing firms.
Extent of Damage and Company Response
One of the sources said that the damage was not significant. Efko declined to comment.
Official Russian Response
The Russian prosecutor's office said earlier on Thursday that Ukrainian drones had attacked Taman.
(Reporting by Reuters; editing by Jason Neely)
