Ukraine is also trying to transport grain by rail and road, but that's very expensive.įADEL: And what kind of damage have the Russian strikes on these river ports caused? But now they account for at least a third of grain exports, according to Ukraine's infrastructure ministry. They are much smaller than the Port of Odesa, for example.
KAKISSIS: And I should say that before the war, these Danube ports were hardly used. And so until now, it felt more protected than other ports on the Black Sea. The Danube also empties into the Black Sea, but in a part of the sea that is very close to Romania and, of course, NATO. It starts in Germany and runs through Eastern Europe, and it forms part of Ukraine's border with Romania, a member of NATO and the European Union. The Danube is the largest river in the European Union. These ports are located on the lower Danube River in the far southwest of Ukraine. KAKISSIS: Well, you know, since Russia pulled out of that deal protecting container ships in the Black Sea, the river ports of Izmail and Reni have become essential to keeping grain exports moving. How important have they become to Ukraine's exports? Hi, Joanna.įADEL: So tell us about these ports on the Danube River. And Russia is now targeting a main alternative route for that grain at Ukraine's ports on the Danube River.įADEL: Joining us now from Kyiv to talk about this is NPR's Joanna Kakissis. Ukraine is struggling to find a way to export its grain as Russia repeatedly strikes its ports.ĭrones and missiles have hit Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea for the last couple of weeks, ever since Moscow withdrew from a deal safeguarding ships carrying Ukrainian grain exports to world markets.
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