2 publishers · first seen Wed, 28 Oct 2026 16:26 UTC · updated Thu, 29 Oct 2026 04:54 UTC
Russian authorities have resumed issuing permits for grain-carrying vessels to leave the Sea of Azov through the Kerch Strait, ending a halt that began on July 10 due to Ukrainian drone attacks. At least one ship passed through the strait by Oct. 29, and permits are set to remain valid until Nov. 15, with some vessels escorted by Russian naval convoys. The resumption follows a localized ceasefire in the Kherson region, which both Russia and Ukraine report is holding. Ukrainian strikes during the summer targeted 134 Russian shadow fleet vessels in the Sea of Azov, disrupting Russian logistics and grain exports.
The Sea of Azov is a key route for Russian exports of grain, oil and steel, linking occupied Crimea and Mariupol to the Black Sea. Attacks on Russian ports and vessels have forced exporters to shift grain shipments to Baltic ports. Ukraine's Operation Molochka aimed to disrupt Russian military logistics by targeting shadow fleet vessels. Russia's Krasnodar Krai declared a state of emergency in September over grain export difficulties, while Baltic leaders called for EU sanctions on Russian grain.
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