Russian Defense Ministry says drone attacks in Crimea threaten extension of grain deal

The Russian Defense Ministry said on the evening of April 24 that another extension of the grain deal is in jeopardy due to the attacks by “unmanned boats” in annexed Sevastopol and Crimea. The Russian military blamed Ukrainian authorities for the attacks.

The message recalled that Russia suspended its participation in the agreement on the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea in October 2022. That decision was made, they said, due the drone attack on ships in Sevastopol. The Defense Ministry claimed that the grain deal was resumed “only thanks to Turkey’s guarantees and Ukraine’s written commitments not to use the humanitarian corridor and Ukrainian ports for combat operations against Russia.”

The Ministry of Defense stated that on March 23 and April 24, “Ukraine undertook repeated attacks of the Black Sea Fleet basing point in the city of Sevastopol and civil infrastructure of Crimea by uncrewed boats.” According to their version, they were launched from the port of Odessa, “designated for the implementation of the Black Sea initiative.”

The Ministry said in a statement that this jeopardizes another extension of the grain deal on May 18.

Ukrainian authorities have not confirmed their involvement in the drone attacks.