Ukraine has lost roughly one-third of its capacity to export grain through Black Sea ports amid an increase in Russian strikes, Reuters reported, citing a Ukrainian agricultural association.

According to the organisation, missile and drone attacks, including strikes on facilities in Odessa, have significantly reduced the throughput of port infrastructure that plays a central role in Ukraine’s agricultural exports.

Shipments of grain, vegetable oils and other agricultural products remain the country’s main source of foreign-currency revenue. More than 90% of these cargoes are exported through ports in the southern part of the Odessa Region.

On Wednesday, July 15, the Russian Defence Ministry reported an overnight strike on the ports of Odessa and Chernomorsk. The ministry said the targets included facilities used to unload fuels and lubricants, fuel storage tanks, and production sites where drones were assembled and manufactured.

According to the Russian defence authorities, four vessels carrying cargoes for the Ukrainian Armed Forces were also hit in the ports of Chernomorsk and Dnepro-Bugsky.