KYIV (Reuters – Ukraine officially closed four of its Azov and Black seaports, which Russian forces had captured. The Ukrainian agricultural ministry stated Monday.

According to a ministry statement, the Azov Sea ports Mariupol (Berdiansk), Skadovsk and Skadovsk) and Kherson’s Black Sea port were all closed “until control is restored”.

It stated that the “adoption of this measure was caused by inability to service ships and passengers, carry out cargo transport, and other economic activities related to navigation, and ensuring an appropriate level of safety.”

As a result, Ukrainian maritime ports have been closed since the Russian invasion in February. Some ports were captured by the Russians and others blocked.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian president, stated Monday that Ukraine may lose millions of tonnes due to Russia’s Black Sea shipping control. This could trigger a crisis in food supply, which will impact Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Zelenskiy stated that Russia does not allow ships to enter or leave its territory, and it controls the Black Sea. This was according Zelenskiy’s statement to 60 Minutes.

Russia wants to totally block the economy of our country.”

Russia describes its military intervention in Ukraine as a “special operation”, to dearm Ukraine and defend it against fascists. Both the West and Ukraine claim the fascist allegations are baseless, and they agree that the war in Ukraine is an unprovoked attack.

Ukraine was a significant agricultural producer. Previously, most goods were exported by sea. However, it is now able to send its exports by train through its western border, or through its smaller Danube river ports.

Last week, the ministry reported that Ukraine’s grain exports reached 45.709million tonnes during the 2021/22 July-June period.

Although it stated that the April volume contained 763,000 tonnes, there were no comparable figures. According to senior agriculture officials, Ukraine exported 300,000.00 tonnes of grain during March.