Ukraine loses €60 million in export revenue every day due to Russian attacks, says Kallas

Ukraine is losing about €60 million in export revenue every day due to increased Russian attacks on export infrastructure and shipping in the Black Sea.

This was stated by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaia Kallas during a plenary debate in the European Parliament on October 20.

According to her, Russia has intensified attacks on Ukrainian export routes since mid-July.

Kallas emphasized that Ukraine remains one of the key global exporters of agricultural products. According to the data she provided, Ukraine accounts for about 15% of global corn exports, 10% of wheat, 15-20% of barley and about half of sunflower oil exports.

At the same time, about 90% of these cargoes are transported via the Black Sea Corridor, which Kallas called the main route for Ukrainian grain exports to international markets.

According to her, Russian attacks are aimed at Ukraine’s agricultural and export infrastructure, Black Sea and Danube ports, border crossings, ships, shipping routes and grain storage facilities.

Kallas also reported six attacks using, presumably, Russian drones in the Black Sea over a ten-day period. According to her, this indicates a dangerous escalation of threats to commercial shipping.

At the same time, the EU is trying to increase alternative routes for Ukrainian exports. According to Kallas, since July, grain exports via the EU’s “Lanes of Solidarity” have increased by almost 2 million tons.

However, she noted that Russia is also attacking border crossings with Moldova, Romania and Poland, creating risks for land alternatives to Black Sea exports.

The European Union, according to Kallas, is working to strengthen security in the Black Sea and the Danube, in particular through the exchange of maritime surveillance data and the creation of the Black Sea Maritime Security Center by Romania and Bulgaria.

The EU is also discussing an agreement on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea with Turkey, India and other international partners. Ukraine has supported such an initiative, while Russia has rejected it, Kallas said.