Ukraine asks IMO Mission to Odesa ports amid Russian attacks.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrzej Sepia said on Wednesday that Ukraine had asked the International Maritime Organization (IMO Mission) to send a monitoring mission to ports in the southern region of Odesa amid intensified Russian attacks.

In recent weeks, Russian forces have stepped up missile attacks on port infrastructure in southern Ukraine and damaged four civilian ships flying foreign flags since October 6.

“Against the backdrop of growing Russian terrorism, Ukraine has formally called on the International Maritime Organization to send an international monitoring mission to ports immediately,” Sepia told a press conference in Odesa after meeting with Nordic-Baltic Group of Eight counterparts.

He stressed that Russian attacks on port infrastructure, grain storage facilities, and civilian ships threaten global food security.

Ukraine is a major grain grower in the world. Before Russia’s 2022 invasion, the country exported only about 6 million tons of grain per month through the Black Sea. About 85% of Ukraine’s food exports have departed from Black Sea ports.

Insurance sources have already reported rising insurance costs, and some bookings have been canceled following the recent Russian attacks.

Ukraine says Russia has launched nearly 60 port attacks in the past three months, damaging and destroying nearly 300 pieces of port infrastructure and 22 civilian ships.