Author: Ihor Kabanenko / Eurasia Daily Monitor

At the Grain From Ukraine forum in Kyiv on November 25, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine has arranged to receive additional air defense systems from Western partners to ensure the safety of vessels traveling along the grain corridor in the Black Sea. According to Mr. Zelenskyy, the “grain corridor continues to function” despite “various...

As Russia’s war against Ukraine wages on, much discussion has focused on Ukraine’s strategy for retaking the Crimean Peninsula (Kyiv Independent, February 2; Ukrinform, March 14; Kyiv Post, April 6). In this context, the Syvash, or “Rotten Sea,” on Crimea’s northeastern coast and near the Sea of Azov’s western edge, stands as a key strategic...

On July 9, the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority announced the opening of the Bystre Canal on the mouth of the Danube River for the entry and exit of vessels transporting Ukrainian agricultural products (Uspa.gov.ua, July 9). “Bystre was blocked by vessels of the Ukrainian Danube Shipping Company at the beginning of the war. We understood...

On July 22, Ukrainian representatives signed the Initiative on Safe Transportation of Grain and Food Products from Ukrainian Ports with Turkey and the United Nations secretary general in Istanbul (Pravda.com.ua, July 22). Ukraine’s agreement was concluded with Ankara and the U.N., but not with Moscow, and provides for grain transportation from three Ukrainian Black Sea...

The security situation in the wider Black Sea region is quickly deteriorating and growing more dangerous. Six large, fully loaded amphibious assault ships (three from the Baltic Fleet and three from the Northern Fleet) sailed through the Turkish Straits into the Black Sea “for exercises” several days ago (see Eurasia Daily Monitor, February 10) and...