Russia Strikes Vital Bridge Linking Ukraine’s Grain Route to Danube Ports
Russia’s attack on the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi Bridge has disrupted a vital grain transport route to Ukraine’s Danube ports, with around 3,000 grain wagons currently heading for re-export.
Mutual attacks between Russia and Ukraine continue. Ukraine’s state railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia announced that Russia had struck the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi Bridge in Ukraine’s Odesa region, which is vital for transporting grain to the ports on the Danube River.
Ukrzaliznytsia did not specify when the bridge was damaged or how serious the damage was, but stated that around 3,000 grain wagons are currently heading towards the Danube ports for re-export.
An official from Ukrzaliznytsia said, “The situation is very difficult. We are working to reopen the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi Bridge. If we do not reopen the bridge, the minimum waiting time for the wagons will be 26 days.”
After Russian attacks effectively rendered Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, which handle 90 percent of the country’s exports, unusable, most cargo, including grain, was redirected to ports on the Danube River. Ukraine has three river ports on the Danube. Cargo is transported to these ports either via the damaged bridge or through neighboring Moldova, whose transit capacity is limited.
Ukrzaliznytsia announced that 118,000 tons of grain have been transported to the Danube ports since the beginning of the month.
