Explosions rock Ukrainian port hours after grain deal

2 years ago
6

Explosions have rocked a key Ukrainian port just a day after Kyiv and Moscow reached a landmark deal to allow the resumption of grain exports.

Two missiles hit the city of Odesa in the early hours of Saturday morning, Ukraine's military said.

Under the terms of Friday's deal, Russia agreed not to target ports while grain shipments were in transit.

Turkey's defence minister said Russian officials had denied carrying out the strikes.

"In our contact with Russia, the Russians told us that they had absolutely nothing to do with this attack, and that they were examining the issue very closely and in detail," Hulusai Akar said in a short statement.

EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said the attack had shown Russia's "total disregard" for international law.

"Striking a target crucial for grain export a day after the signature of Istanbul agreements is particularly reprehensible," he tweeted, adding that the EU "strongly condemns" the attack.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres unequivocally condemned the attack, saying that full implementation of the grain deal made between Russia, Ukraine and Turkey was imperative.

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