Russia has intensified its attacks on Black Sea port infrastructure and civilian shipping, as Ukraine claims these actions aim to disrupt its exports and harm its economy. The assaults have primarily targeted the city of Odesa and the southern coastal region, with the United Nations’ Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reporting that five attacks since last Monday have resulted in 14 civilian deaths and 28 injuries. The most recent strike occurred early Friday morning when ballistic missiles targeted the region, hitting a residential building and killing four individuals, including a teenage girl. Emergency services reported that nine others were hospitalized due to the attack. Additionally, strikes on commercial vessels have primarily affected ships registered under flags of smaller nations, which are perceived as less likely to retaliate against Russia. Notably, a container ship flying the flag of Palau was struck last Monday, and a missile damaged another vessel under the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis the day prior. Peter Stano, the European Commission’s spokesperson for external affairs, condemned Russia’s actions, stating that the country is weaponizing food shipments from Ukraine and directly targeting supplies essential for those in need. He characterized these actions as blatant violations of international law that must cease immediately. Since the onset of the invasion in February 2022, nearly 300 port facilities in and around Odesa have been either destroyed or damaged, according to Oleksiy Kuleba, Ukraine's deputy prime minister for reconstruction. He noted that the primary targets of Russian shelling include ports, civilian vessels, and granaries, with almost 60 attacks reported in the past three months alone, resulting in damage to 177 vehicles and 22 civilian vessels, as well as injuries to 79 civilians. The Ukrainian government asserts that these strikes are designed to diminish the country’s export capacity, particularly for grain, which is primarily transported by sea. This situation disproportionately affects developing nations and European countries that rely on Ukrainian grain. In total, approximately 40 countries, including those in Africa, China, the Middle East, and Europe, receive Ukrainian grain. Following a series of Russian strikes that initially halted Ukrainian shipping, a maritime corridor was established in July 2022 to facilitate the export of agricultural products. This corridor enabled the export of 46 million tons of goods until Russia chose not to renew the agreement a year later. Since then, Ukraine has successfully pushed back Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, allowing for the reopening of ports without Russian security guarantees. Despite a resurgence in Black Sea exports, recent weeks have seen a shift in Russia's approach, with renewed attacks on vessels. Ukrainian farmers and exporters are increasingly concerned that Russia is attempting to obstruct grain exports once again. Denys Marchuk, deputy head of the Ukrainian Agrarian Council, emphasized the importance of the agriculture sector for Ukraine's budget revenue, warning that reduced grain exports would not only harm Ukraine but also benefit Russia by allowing it to sell its crops at higher prices. As Ukraine continues to highlight the potential risks to global grain markets, its diplomatic efforts are focused on securing increased military aid to counter the Russian invasion. Following the postponement of a scheduled military aid meeting at the Ramstein U.S. air base in Germany, President Volodymyr Zelensky has embarked on a European tour, engaging with leaders in Britain, France, Italy, Germany, and Pope Francis.