The pro-Russian government assigned to Ukraine’s occupied port of Berdyansk says a ship loaded with grain has left the port for the first time since February 24. Yevgeny Baritsky, head of the pro-Russian local government, said: “After many months of delay, the first merchant ship has left the port of Berdyansk. 7,000 tons of grain were shipped to friendly countries,” he said. Balitsky noted that Ukrainian ports have been cleared of mines, and Russian ships in the Black Sea will also “ensure safe navigation.”
Ukraine accuses Russia of stealing and selling the country’s grain. Due to the Russian blockade, Kiev is unable to export food. The Zaporozhye and Kherson regions in southern Ukraine are largely under Russian control.
