Russia and Ukraine Are Degrading Each Other's Grain Exports Across the Black Sea

Both sides now systematically target each other's grain export infrastructure. Ukraine's August 12 drone strike on Novorossiysk damaged three Russian grain terminals; two suspended operations. Russia's agriculture ministry began rerouting grain to Baltic and Caspian ports. Ukraine cut its 2026/27 grain export forecast by up to 12%. Both nations rank among the world's largest grain exporters.