Kyiv: Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Taras Vysotskyi announced that the entry of vessels to Ukraine's Black Sea ports has been suspended due to increasing Russian strikes targeting the nation's port infrastructure. This development was reported by Interfax-Ukraine news agency on Wednesday evening.

According to Anadolu Agency, Vysotskyi clarified that the suspension was a decision made by shipowners, and not a restriction imposed by the Ukrainian state. He emphasized that the Ukrainian government is committed to ensuring the stability of logistics despite the ongoing challenges. Vysotskyi drew a distinction between the current situation and the suspension at the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war, highlighting that Ukraine has developed alternative export routes and has sufficient storage capacity for its products, although these alternative routes remain underutilized.

The minister's comments come at a time of heightened tensions, with Russian strikes increasingly targeting Ukraine's port infrastructure and vessels. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Russia of jeopardizing global food security and warned of potential repercussions on food prices and hunger in various regions, including Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. Sybiha has called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting and urged nations, particularly those most affected, to demand an end to Russia's attacks on maritime navigation in the Black Sea.

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia's stance, stating that their armed forces would target ships involved in transporting ammunition and weapons for Ukraine. Amid these developments, Danish shipping and logistics company Maersk announced the temporary suspension of its services via the Chornomorsk Fishing Port, redirecting import cargo to Romania's Port of Constanta due to the prevailing situation.