► A first shipment of cereals left Odessa
The first shipment of Ukrainian cereals left the port of Odessa with 26,000 tons of corn on board, Monday August 1 at 06:17 GMT (8:17 a.m. French time), in accordance with the terms of the agreement with Russia signed in Istanbul, announced the Turkish Ministry of Defense.
“The Razoni ship left the port of Odessa bound for the port of Tripoli in Lebanon. He is expected on August 2 in Istanbul. It will continue on its way to its destination following the inspections that will be carried out in Istanbul”the ministry added.
It should arrive at the entrance to the Bosphorus on Tuesday at midday, said Yörük Isik, a specialist in monitoring ship movements in the region. Built in 1996 and 186 m long by 25 wide, the Razoni has a hold capacity of 30,000 tonnes.
Other convoys will follow this first departure, respecting “the (maritime) corridor and agreed formalities”, added the Turkish ministry. Signed on July 22 in Istanbul between representatives of Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations, the agreement allows the resumption of Ukrainian exports under international supervision.
► Drone attack against the HQ of the Russian fleet in Sevastopol
An explosive drone injured six people on Sunday July 31 at the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, Crimea, an unprecedented attack which put this Russian stronghold on alert in the Ukrainian peninsula annexed by Moscow.
Russian strikes are also continuing on Ukrainian cities, notably in Mykolaiv, where the most violent bombardment since the start of the war killed at least two inhabitants, according to local authorities. In the night from Sunday to Monday, from “powerful explosions” resounded again in this southern city, said its mayor.