Ukraine's Black Sea Grain Corridor Suspended Amid Russian Warplane Threat

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov denied reports that the Black Sea export corridor had been suspended, stating that all available routes established by the Ukrainian Navy are valid and being used by civilian vessels. However, Ukrainian and British firms reported a possible threat from Russian warplanes and sea mines, leading to a temporary suspension of vessel traffic to and from the ports. The corridor was launched in August as a "humanitarian corridor" to circumvent a de facto blockade in the Black Sea after Russia quit a U.N.-brokered deal. Since its inception, about 700,000 tons of grain have been shipped via the new route.