Sergiy Kyslytsya: By striking Odessa, Russia is attempting to block the maritime corridor created by the Ukrainian Navy

"By choosing Odessa as one of the main targets for airstrikes, the Russians are attempting to disrupt the functioning of the maritime corridor created by the Ukrainian Navy after Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative," said Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the UN Sergiy Kyslytsya during a Security Council meeting on Friday.

This is reported by Ukrinform's own correspondent in New York.

"Russia's attempts to blackmail the international community by withdrawing from the initiative have failed," Kyslytsia explained. "However, Ukraine... despite the war, launched the maritime corridor and continues to enhance its effectiveness."

According to Sergiy Kyslytsya, since August 2023, nearly 30 million tons of cargo have been exported from the ports of Odessa, Pivdennyi, and Chornomorsk to 42 countries worldwide. Of these, over 8 million tons were shipped in February alone. 80% of the shipments consist of agricultural products.

In fact, the exports from Ukrainian Black Sea ports have reached a level comparable to that before the full-scale invasion, the Permanent Representative noted.

"The Russian Black Sea Fleet, whose numbers are constantly decreasing, no longer dares to appear in the northwestern part of the Black Sea, let alone its ability to block Ukrainian ports," emphasized Kyslytsya.

All Russia has left is to launch missiles in an attempt to intimidate Ukraine and our trading partners, he said, underscoring the importance of strengthening the ports' air defense.