Ukraine War: Why is Putin weaponising grain?

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Summary:

  • The Russian Black Sea Fleet fires warning shots at a civilian vessel in the Black Sea, escalating the conflict.
  • Reasons behind Russia's move to target grain include weakening Ukraine's revenue generation and potentially increasing global grain prices.
  • The impact of reduced grain supplies could be severe in starving areas of the world.
  • President Putin's motives are unclear, but the move might be aimed at altering the course of the war in Russia's favor.


The Russian Black Sea Fleet has fired warning shots against a civilian vessel for the first time in this war. Reports suggest that a Russian warship has attacked a civilian vessel in the Black Sea by opening fire using an automatic machine gun and also involving a military helicopter. This marks a marked escalation in this conflict.


The ship was allegedly by Russian's claim going to the port of Izhmail which is a Ukrainian port and the Russians will have been concerned about it exporting grain. But actually, the records show that this ship was actually heading to a port in Romania. One of the reasons for weaponising grain might be to hinder Ukraine's revenue generation as it's a major grain exporter. Russia, being a significant global supplier of grain, could benefit from increased prices due to reduced supplies caused by Ukraine's export stoppage. However, Russia's primary revenue source remains its oil and gas sales. The impact of reduced grain supplies would be felt acutely in starving areas of the world, affecting the poor and the starving nations.


President Putin's motives behind targeting grain remain speculative, but it could be an effort to weaken Ukraine's revenue generation and possibly influence the course of the war.

Location: London, UK

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