A ship loaded with grain is set to leave the Ukrainian port of Odesa for the first time since the war began, according to the Turkish defence ministry.
It comes after Russia and Ukraine signed a deal in July to reopen Black Sea ports to resume grain exports – shipments needed to alleviate a growing global food crisis.
The Sierra Leone-flagged dry cargo ship RAZONI is loaded with corn and will depart from the port of Odesa at 8.30am (6.30am UK time) on Monday to go to Lebanon, the Turkish defence ministry said.
Russia and Ukraine signed separate agreements with Turkey and the UN clearing the way for Ukraine – one of the world’s key breadbaskets – to export 22 million tons of grain and other agricultural goods that have been stuck in Black Sea ports because of the conflict.
Other ships are expected to depart Ukraine’s ports through safe corridors in line with deals signed in Istanbul.
The agreement aims to allow for the safe passage of grain shipments in and out of Odesa, Chornomorsk, and the port of Pivdennyi.
A blockade by Russia’s Black Sea fleet since it invaded its neighbour cut off supplies to markets around the world and sent grain prices soaring.
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Many people in the world’s poorest regions rely on shipments from the Black Sea for food.
Moscow has denied responsibility, blaming Western sanctions for slowing its own food and fertiliser exports and Ukraine for mining its Black Sea ports.
