Ukraine today accused Russia of stealing grain from its occupied territories, a move it says increases the threat to global food security, in part due to the blockade of Ukrainian ports and the cessation of spring sowing due to the war. .
When asked about these allegations the The Kremlin responded that it had no information on the mattera.
In a written statement, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said it “strongly condemns the criminal activities of the Russian Federation, the so-called expropriation of crops by farmers in the Kherson region” in southern Ukraine. He did not give further details about the alleged theft of wheat in this region. The city of the same name was captured by Russian forces a few days after the invasion, on February 24.
“The theft of wheat from the Hersonissos region, as well as the blockade of Ukrainian ports and the mine-laying of waterways threaten global food security. “We urge Russia to stop stealing wheat, to lift the blockade of ports, to restore free navigation and to allow merchant ships to pass,” the ministry added.
In a separate statement, Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office said it had launched an investigation into allegations that on April 26, Russian soldiers seized 61 tons of wheat from a farm in the Zaporizhia region of southern Ukraine under threat of violence.
Reuters was unable to verify these allegations.
Asked if the Kremlin had any information on the matter, Russian President Dmitry Peshkov’s spokesman replied via Telegram: “No. We do not know where this information comes from. “
According to the International Grains Council, Ukraine was the fourth largest exporter in 2020/21, selling 44.7 million tonnes abroad. The volume of exports decreased dramatically after the Russian invasion.
“Through its illegal actions, Russia is not only stealing from Ukraine but also from consumers abroad. “The United Nations estimates that some 1.7 billion people may face poverty and hunger due to power outages as a result of Russia’s war against Ukraine,” the ministry added.
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