Today, traffic has resumed on the street. Black Seaalong the maritime humanitarian corridor, allowing the removal of Ukrainians graindespite her departure Russia from an international agreement.

According to maritime website Traffic, at least six grain ships, including the Ikaria Angel, chartered by the World Food Program and bound for Djibouti with 30,000 tons of wheat, passed through the maritime humanitarian corridor bound for the Bosphorus and Turkey.

The Joint Coordinating Center (JCC), which oversees the agreement on the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, said that twelve ships are expected to leave Ukrainian ports today.

UN Grain Initiative coordinator Amir Abdullah said on Twitter this morning: “No civilian ship can become a military target or be held hostage. The food must pass.”

Shortly thereafter, Ukraine confirmed the withdrawal of 12 ships. The 354,500 tons of grain they transported is far more than is normally transported in one day.

For his part, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, one of the guarantors of the agreement, said he would continue to defend it.

“Although Russia seems to be hesitant because it has not received the same benefits [με την Ουκρανία]we are determined to continue our efforts in the service of humanity,” said the Turkish president, who has managed to maintain good relations with Kyiv and Moscow since the conflict began on February 24.

It is also expected that four more ships will head to Ukraine, one of which sailed from Istanbul this morning under the Turkish flag.

Russia said it was “suspending” an export deal from Ukraine after Russian Navy ships were damaged in a Crimean port on Saturday.

Ukraine has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement in the attack, but says the Russian navy is a legitimate military target. Moscow said the explosions were caused by ships and drones.

Russia refused “until further notice” from the inspection of ships

Yesterday, Sunday, Russia refused “until further notice” from the inspection of ships, which became mandatory in accordance with an international agreement to ensure the safe transportation of Ukrainian agricultural exports.

However, Turkey and the UN, two of the four partners in the international agreement, are determined to sidestep these issues and continue to mobilize the ships.

In a statement released Sunday evening, the JCC, which includes representatives from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN, announced that Turkish and UN delegations would provide additional inspection resources and that “ten teams” were expected to inspect 40 vessels. heading to Ukraine today.

The JCC clarified that they “enlisted the consent of Ukraine.” The Russian delegation has been informed,” he said, stressing that the latter “is looking forward to continuing the dialogue with Turkey and the UN.”

“The delegation of the Russian Federation also stated that it is ready for remote cooperation on issues requiring immediate resolution,” the JCC added.

After a break on Saturday, eleven ships were examined on Sunday.

The Turkish Ministry of Defense on Sunday continued meetings with other parties to the agreement and on this occasion “reminded the parties of the importance of continuing this initiative (…) and preventing any provocations that will have negative results.”

The agreement on the export of Ukrainian grain, which entered into force on August 1, expires on November 19.

This made it possible to export more than 9.3 million tons of grain and other products from Ukraine. According to the JCC, 40% of the cargo was destined for developing countries.

A separate agreement, signed with Russia and without Ukraine, was also expected to facilitate the export of Russian fertilizers and agricultural products, but was never implemented.

The sluggishness of operations in the Bosporus has been particularly criticized by Ukraine, which has accused Russia of delaying inspections.

Up to 170 ships arriving from or bound for Ukrainian ports waited sometimes for nearly a dozen days off the coast of Istanbul last week for checks so they could continue their journey.

^{Source: APE-MEB, AFP, Reuters.}