world

Grain ships sail from Ukraine ports as Russian missiles knock out power across country

60 Comments
By Pavel Polityuk

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Thomson Reuters 2022.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.


60 Comments

Comments have been disabled You can no longer respond to this thread.

Ships carrying grain sailed from Ukrainian ports on Monday despite Moscow's suspension of its participation in a U.N. program to ensure the safety of such cargoes amid an unrelenting war.

Good. If Putin attacks these ships, he can expect widespread condemnation.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the U.N.-brokered deal was "hardly feasible" since Russia could no longer guarantee the safety of shipping.

Umm, why? The biggest threat is Russia.

2 ( +14 / -12 )

Waiting for the time when Russia runs out of missiles, which it can't replace. Should be soon now.

-3 ( +11 / -14 )

Remember when it was all about azov and imaginary US generals in a steel refinery? Seems so long ago?

5 ( +12 / -7 )

Ukraine was using it to conduct military operations against Russia.

The above completely ignores the reality that Russia invaded Ukraine and is prolonging a brutal war against Ukrainian citizens. Russia has weaponized fossil fuel and food, in part because the Russian military and their weapons are inept. So Putin defends his madness by saying if that doesn't work, we're going nuke. What a pathetic mad, regime. No wonder many Russians are reported to have left Russia for other nations, when Kazakhstan seems to be an upgrade from Russia, it's pretty clear Russia has sunk even lower.

2 ( +13 / -11 )

During the cold war, Russian sailors visiting Yokohama would bring things like hifi gear to swap for Levis jeans and other US goods. I still have a pair of amazing Russian speakers made with a polymer cone that still sound better than my Yamaha NS1000 when a subwoofer is added to the mix.

I feel for ordinary Russian people, they might be isolated from the world soon enough if Putin is determined to return to cold war ambition.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

Golly, it’s almost like Mini-me was huffing and puffing with no follow through except to try to freeze the civilian population into subjugation.

That’s not going to happen. And the Black Sea “fleet”…. not going to get involved lest it sent on a “joint special submersible mission.”

0 ( +10 / -10 )

I think after the election,the war will be winding down,lots of these Congress people are growing tired,we will have new Speaker anyway the election go,this war will not be their priority

-8 ( +6 / -14 )

Umm, why? The biggest threat is Russia.

There’s a “could” in what you’ve quoted that is meant to be a “would”

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Yeah, Russia is doing so great that millions are quitting the country. So many that it’s neighbors may struggle to handle them all.

0 ( +9 / -9 )

Waiting for the time when Russia runs out of missiles, which it can't replace. Should be soon now.

And I'm waiting for the time when the people who've been predicting this since March run out of excuses and admit they were wrong, but I'm not holding my breath.

This was the largest missile strike so far. Cruise missiles are 1980s tech. They don't require 7nm microchips or anything else cutting-edge that Russia or China cannot produce.

-7 ( +8 / -15 )

The only thing missing in Russia is brands.

Exactly, Russia has no 'brands', neither does China. Don't confuse globalisation with isolation. Russia, along with its friends (China, Iran, NK...) will be isolated.

Chinese were already buying their iPhones in Japan, because they think it doesn't have CCP spyware on it.

Without brands it will be like the cold war all over again.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Haven't you noticed that 95% of the products you buy are Made in China and China is openly trading with Russia.

So is India, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

Over the past 8 months, trade between Russia and Belgium, Netherlands, Spain and Portugal has dramatically increased. With Germany it's only down 3%. Though a lot of that is due to Germany paying much more for much less Russian energy......

-7 ( +7 / -14 )

Exactly, Russia has no 'brands', neither does China. Don't confuse globalisation with isolation. Russia, along with its friends (China, Iran, NK...) will be isolated.

What "brands" does Israel have? Russia has some of the most, if not the most valuable in Gazprom, Rosneft and etc. China has a myriad of "brands". Over the past 20 odd years, probably 90 of the top 100 fastest growing. Some of which are now household names all over the world.

Isolated China is the largest trading partner for Japan, The EU, Germany by itself, USA, India, Russia, Vietnam, Pakistan, Indonesia, Brazil, Argentina and South American as a whole. Not sure about Israel but who really cares? Sounds really "isolated".

Trade between Russia and the EU has increased over the last 8 months while it's gone into orbit with India and China. Also increased dramatically with Brazil, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia. But I know what you mean. The actual "world" only includes most of Europe, North America and Israel, right?

-9 ( +4 / -13 )

The fascists have thrown down the gauntlet

Nope. The Russians are the fascists. They're the ones locking up antiwar protesters, locking up political rivals, and forcing their men into the Ukrainian meat grinder

. Now it's up to the Russians to sink one of the ships. 

Openly calling for the targeting of non-military vessels. This is exactly what I mean, we can all see who the real imperialists/fascists are.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

Russia fires 50 missiles, Ukraine downs 44 but the 6 remaining all hit their targets perfectly in 3 major cities knocking out most of the power and water.

Perhaps Ukrane had such bad luck they missed the only 6 important missiles, or someone is spreading false information.

Oh and I thought Russia was out of weapons in April, May, June, July August, September, October....

Can we now stop with the bravado and start talking about ending this stupidity?

Ye, yes yes "Russia started it" but try being logical, Russia is not going to withdraw and Ukraine is not going to win by winter time and people are going to die and please again stop the macho posturing, no it will not be the Russians, they have power and before some machoman says Attack Russia, I and most of the world would like to live not die in a nuclear war.

You all say Russia won't do this or that, Russia doesn't have this or that then Russia does exactly what you say it won't or can't.

So I would rather follow the " let's negotiate with the crazy guy with nukes" than the "let's go to war with the crazy guy with nukes".

-6 ( +8 / -14 )

Bronco

Ukraine's military said it had shot down 44 of 50 Russian missiles. But strikes left 80% of Kyiv without running water, authorities said. Ukrainian police said 13 people were injured in the latest attacks.

So 6 missiles were enough to cut 80% of the power?

6 missiles and many drones.

And how could Russia fire off 50 missiles in the first place when 4 months ago the media assured us that Russia had run out of missiles.

Running out, not run out.

The most remarkable thing however is that the targets were hit but nobody was killed.

These strikes are clearly timed for minimal loss of life.

And highest discomfort for Ukrainians with winter coming.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

So I would rather follow the " let's negotiate with the crazy guy with nukes" than the "let's go to war with the crazy guy with nukes".

No. Let's allow Ukraine to make up its own mind.

1 ( +9 / -8 )

BTW, would JT and the rest stop repeating far war crimes accusations and saying "civilian targets".

Fact check, certain civilian infrastructure that is used by the military such as railway, roads bridges, power telecommunications, etc..are officially recognized as legitimate military Targets this was why the USA and it Allies hit Iraq infrastructure on the first day of the war.

So we may not like it but power stations are officially a legitimate target.

-5 ( +9 / -14 )

Antiquesaving

Russia fires 50 missiles, Ukraine downs 44 but the 6 remaining all hit their targets perfectly in 3 major cities knocking out most of the power and water.

Perhaps Ukrane had such bad luck they missed the only 6 important missiles, or someone is spreading false information.

Nope. There were drones as well. These cheap Iranian drones have been quite effective. The expensive cruise missiles? Not so much.

Oh and I thought Russia was out of weapons in April, May, June, July August, September, October....

Really? Where did you hear that?

They are down to about 124 / 900 Iskander ground-launch missiles. 272 / 500 Kaliber sea-launched missiles. And 213 / 444 air-launched cruise missiles.

Ye, yes yes "Russia started it" but try being logical, Russia is not going to withdraw and Ukraine is not going to win by winter time and people are going to die

People are dying already. There is no future tense about this. And I wouldn't call Ukraine's position macho posturing.

So I would rather follow the " let's negotiate with the crazy guy with nukes" than the "let's go to war with the crazy guy with nukes".

They are already at war with Ukraine. You seem to suggest that Russia negotiate with some other country. Only Ukraine can negotiate its future.

-3 ( +8 / -11 )

Antiquesaving

BTW, would JT and the rest stop repeating far war crimes accusations and saying "civilian targets".

Agreed. The Kerch Strait Bridge is not a civilian target.

But these grain ships are.

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

Tit for tat - time to hit Putin's bridge again - this time bring the whole thing down. The Russkies still haven't got the message from Ukraine with love.

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

Africa is helped by this UN ship and also by more grain in the market lowering the cost of grain.

That is what we are told to believe and fed everyday in the news.

Now fact check according to the BBC

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-61759692

However, UN figures show that the bulk of Ukrainian food exported in the last three months has been going to Spain, Turkey, Italy, China and Netherlands.

> In pre-war years, the top importers of Ukrainian wheat were Egypt, Indonesia and Bangladesh.

> The UN said in September that just **under 30% had gone to lower-income countries**, while 44% had been shipped to high-income countries.

So before the war Egypt Indonesia Bangladesh, now Spain, Turkey l, Italy....

Don't see much Africa there except in propaganda articles, seems at least the BBC is being honest about where the grain is going.

-5 ( +6 / -11 )

The most remarkable thing however is that the targets were hit but nobody was killed.

These strikes are clearly timed for minimal loss of life.

According to the NY Times, this is evidence the Russian missiles are much less effective than NATO missiles.

-9 ( +3 / -12 )

Antiquesaving

Africa is helped by this UN ship and also by more grain in the market lowering the cost of grain.

That is what we are told to believe and fed everyday in the news.

Now fact check according to the BBC

OK, let's look at the article:

*The UN said in September that just under 30% had gone to lower-income countries, while 44% had been shipped to high-income countries.*

*However, the resumption of Ukrainian food exports across the world has helped lower food prices between July and the end of October, judging by the UN's FAO food price index.*

Which is exactly what I said: Africa is helped by this UN ship and also by more grain in the market lowering the cost of grain.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Ye, yes yes "Russia started it"

No, they did not. Ukraine forces were attacking the Donbass regions for the last 8 years after the USA coup in 2014 and with the loss of more than 14,000 citizen's lives.

As for the grain, only 30 percent was going to the poorer countries with the rest going to Europe. Russia stated that they will send half a million tons of their own grain to ther poorer countries for free.

Zelensky accused Russia some time ago that Russia was stealing their grain and exporting it which was proven to be a lie. He then says that Ukraine grain should be given to the poorer countries but most went to feed Europe.

-7 ( +7 / -14 )

They are down to about 124 / 900 Iskander ground-launch missiles. 272 / 500 Kaliber sea-launched missiles. And 213 / 444 air-launched cruise missiles.

I almost feel sorry breaking this to you but someone has to do it so are better prepared for when the corporate media admits it.

Russia has more missiles now than when it did at the start of the SMO. Many times the number of hypersonic missiles. But they are holding them back for NATO and using the cheap ones for the Ukraine.

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

Which is exactly what I said: Africa is helped by this UN ship and also by more grain in the market lowering the cost of grain.

Wow what a backwards way of trying to claim Ukrainian grain is for the poor.

There is no shortage of grain only shortage of cheap grain the USA, Canada and Australia together have enough surplus grain to feed Africa for free or discount but won't.

So to make sure rich producers get their money we need cheap Ukrainian grain ( and Russian that it why it was exempt from sanctions).

And instead of selling cheap Ukrainian grain to its previous buyers, it goes to the highest bidder to make more money.

Bleeding hearts are a joke as the grain Barrons take in the profits.

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

Axel

I almost feel sorry breaking this to you but someone has to do it so are better prepared for when the corporate media admits it.

Russia has more missiles now than when it did at the start of the SMO.

Yeah, they are buying them from Iran. We know that.

6 ( +12 / -6 )

According to the NYT, sourced from Observatory of Economic Complexity, EU import trade with Russia this year is something like:

Spain, +112%

Belgium, +130%

netherlands, +74%

germany, +38%

norway, +21%

Japan’s trade only increased by 40%.

so obviously this will be only a partial blocking of Black Sea trading. Most of the grain goes to EU.

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

seems that Russia still has missiles.

Despite posters here and the media claiming they were "running" out since all the way back in late March.

In fact the USA seems to be running out of weapons they are willing to give. and if Dems lose the election next week the money will likely be curtailed significantly too.

Maybe time to admit Russia running out missiles wont be the solution here and that some diplomacy is in order.

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

Fact check, certain civilian infrastructure that is used by the military such as railway, roads bridges, power telecommunications, etc..are officially recognized as legitimate military Targets

they were when it is is Ukraine doing the blowing up of things, such as the bridge to Crimea.

But except that? totally civilian targets. propaganda 101.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

BTW, would JT and the rest stop repeating far war crimes accusations and saying "civilian targets".

Fact check, certain civilian infrastructure that is used by the military such as railway, roads bridges, power telecommunications, etc..are officially recognized as legitimate military Targets this was why the USA and it Allies hit Iraq infrastructure on the first day of the war.

So we may not like it but power stations are officially a legitimate target.

Power and water supplies ARE civilian targets. Depending on the circumstances a civilian target like a bridge might be deemed a legitimate military target in wartime due to its potential use by a military, but that doesn't change the fact that it is still a civilian target.

Also, while in some circumstances it might be legitimate to target power supplies that are used by the military, this doesn't extend to power supplies used by the civilian population. And it is never legitimate to target the water supplies that the civilian population relies on to survive, which is what Russia is doing.

The old "But the Americans did bad stuff in Iraq, Vietnam, etc" excuse doesn't justify anything that Russia is doing.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

The old "But the Americans did bad stuff in Iraq, Vietnam, etc" excuse doesn't justify anything that Russia is doing.

Well then drop the Russia and USSR that Ukraine and supporters keep going back to!

Seems USSR 1930s is Ok to bring up but pointing out 2000s USA and pointing to the fact power was a legitimate target then but not now isn't acceptable.

OK how about the fact that Ukraine was using power stations as a target and a way of attacking the breakaway areas since 2014 before Russia invaded!

These are documented facts.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Also, while in some circumstances it might be legitimate to target power supplies that are used by the military, this doesn't extend to power supplies used by the civilian population.

Are you serious or is this a joke?

Are there military only power stations and power generation plants?

The stuff people come up with!

The military uses the same power supplies as the civilians and when those are out the military will perhaps have diesel powered backup generators at certain locations.

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

guarantee the safety of shipping

Putin's government is no different from the mafia. "Nice ship youse got there carrying sustenance for the world's hungry. It'd be a shame if anything happened to it."

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Well then drop the Russia and USSR that Ukraine and supporters keep going back to!

lol What? No one has mentioned anything about the USSR that I can see, and it's perfectly fair to criticize Russia for invading.

OK how about the fact that Ukraine was using power stations as a target and a way of attacking the breakaway areas since 2014 before Russia invaded!

You mean in 2014 when Russia was only supplying separatists? Do you have any actual proof of Ukrainian targeting power supply in regions being armed by the Russians?

0 ( +4 / -4 )

In fact the USA seems to be running out of weapons they are willing to give. and if Dems lose the election next week the money will likely be curtailed significantly too.

It is more interesting.

Russia has been claiming USA weapons given to Ukrane have been ending up on the black market.

USA said that is not true.

Well suddenly and quietly the USA (Biden's team) has said it is now putting in place a tracking and auditing system to make sure the weapons are reaching where they are supposed to go.

Now if everything was fine, why would this tracking and auditing be needed?

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

These strikes are clearly timed for minimal loss of life.

The middle of the morning rush hour. Mad Vlad has admitted that the attacks on civilians are his response to the attacks on ruzzian military targets.

I’m having trouble scouring my lexicon for words to describe the gremlin in the kremlin. Somehow scum, despicable little thug, demented megalomaniac, don’t seem to cut it any more.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

t is now putting in place a tracking and auditing system to make sure the weapons are reaching where they are supposed to go.

Now if everything was fine, why would this tracking and auditing be needed?

and isnt its just a little bit late for that now?

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

Grain ships sail from Ukraine ports

Good news for the world.

as Russian missiles knock out power across country

Russia does not see these acts as terrorist acts because it is Russia doing it to Ukraine. If Ukraine did the exact same thing and hit power and water in Moscow it would be labeled as a terrorist attack. Hypocrisy at its finest. Russia is a disgusting terrorist state under the worlds most powerful terrorist Putin. UN should make it official in the general assembly with a vote.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

when all of this will stop?

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Well then drop the Russia and USSR that Ukraine and supporters keep going back to!

Seems USSR 1930s is Ok to bring up but pointing out 2000s USA and pointing to the fact power was a legitimate target then but not now isn't acceptable.

I've never made any argument about the USSR in the 1930s, so why are you telling me to drop it?

OK how about the fact that Ukraine was using power stations as a target and a way of attacking the breakaway areas since 2014 before Russia invaded!

Well, if Ukraine was wrong to attack civilian power stations in the breakaway areas then, surely it is equally wrong for Russia to be doing the same, on a much larger scale, now?

Are you serious or is this a joke?

Are there military only power stations and power generation plants?

Yeah, I'm serious because I served in the military and I know what I'm talking about.

In the Canadian army when we deployed to the field we were completely cut off from the civilian power grid and used mobile generators for our power, as all militaries do.

There are several reasons for this. One is that the civilian grid is laid out to only serve fixed locations (houses, shops, etc), while in wartime the military spends most of its time in areas that the civilian grid doesn't reach to. A second one is that the civilian grid relies on large scale fixed power stations that are relatively easy targets (as we are seeing right now). So the military uses dispersed, smaller scale generators for its power needs.

Now in PEACETIME, the military does use civilian power grids because it is more efficient and the troops spend most of their time on bases. In wartime, like the situation in Ukraine, most of them are deployed away from these places.

The stuff people come up with!

The military uses the same power supplies as the civilians and when those are out the military will perhaps have diesel powered backup generators at certain locations.

You are clearly the one making this stuff up off the top of your head, not me. The military does NOT just use diesel generators as backups in wartime at select locations. These, and similar types of systems, are the prime sources of power for armies in wartime.

This is all academic though. Russia isn't bombing power stations in Ukraine to deny their use to the Ukrainian military, its explicit reason for bombing them is to freeze the civilian population into submission over the winter. You might be OK with that because the US bombed power infrastructure in Iraq, but I'm not.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

The Russians have shut down the shipping they thought they were going to keep using to send to corn to Europe to make methanol while people in Africa are starving. But evil Russians did directly communicate with the staving nations of Africa that Russia would donate to them 500 000 tons of grain and sell the rest at very reasonable prices. The UN, USA and EU leaders are furious!

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

@m3m3m3

And I'm waiting for the time when the people who've been predicting this since March run out of excuses and admit they were wrong, 

Your memory is distorted. In March, following the late Feb. start of the invasion, nearly everyone – including the leading military experts – were saying big, powerful Russia was poised for an easy victory, with the air force achieving air superiority and quick occupation of Kiev and other major cities. They said the vastly outnumbered, outgunned Ukraine forces were capable of only sporadic resistance.

Those commentators have been forced to admit they were wrong, as doing otherwise would have made them look foolish.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Going so well that Russia suspends it’s mobilization in the face of resistance and a lack of equipment.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Blacklabel

But except that? totally civilian targets. propaganda 101.

Children's playgrounds? totally civilian target.

and isnt its just a little bit late for that now?

No. They have had oversight of US weapons in Ukraine since Russia seized the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and the US started send weapons to Ukraine.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

when all of this will stop?

You, and everyone knows the answer to that question. When Russia leaves or is pushed out of Ukraine. Better for everyone concerned if Russia left of its own accord.

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Keep playing with Russia, Ukraine will going to have a long game..

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Keep playing with Russia, Ukraine will going to have a long game..

Some people seem confused. It is Russia playing with Ukraine not the other way around.

Some seem to think Russia has every right to take what it wants and Ukraine has no right to keep what belongs to Ukraine. Strange.

In that light, if Russia wants to invade Hokkaido then Japan should not "play with Russia" but should just hand it over. Is that about right? Crazy!

2 ( +5 / -3 )

a tracking and auditing system to make sure the weapons are reaching where they are supposed to go

It's my understanding that such a system was always in place.

I did find mention of concerns of US weaponry in Ukraine somehow finding its way into ruzzian hands - whether captured, shot down or passed on by Ukrainian separatists/traitors - and then being used to create Putin's dream dirty bomb, complete with US/Ukrainian 'fingerprints' all over it.

https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2022/10/27/fearing-russian-false-flag-in-ukraine-us-launches-plan-to-track-arms/

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The grain ships continue to depart with their cargo. Two cargo ships loaded with grain left on Monday and took the humanitarian maritime corridor to Turkey.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

You, and everyone knows the answer to that question. When Russia leaves or is pushed out of Ukraine. Better for everyone concerned if Russia left of its own accord.

Very good solution. The problem is - the military op starts after Ukraine officially declaring that must have nuclear weaponry

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Going so well that Russia suspends it’s mobilization in the face of resistance and a lack of equipment.

Not correct info

31th of September mobilisation was ended

Because result was achieved.

And now 300 000 mobilized prepare for battle

In Ukraine mobilisation started in February 2022

In Russia in the last decade of September

(difference?)

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

Bronco

What happens when supply chains begin collapsing after a few weeks?

kanec filma rebiata

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

This "memorandum" was about Ukrainian nuclear weapons.

*The Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances** comprises three substantially identical political agreements signed at the OSCE conference in Budapest, Hungary, on 5 December 1994, to provide security assurances by its signatories relating to the accession of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). ...(it) prohibited the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States from threatening or using military force or economic coercion against Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, "except in self-defence or otherwise in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations." As a result of other agreements and the memorandum, between 1993 and 1996, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine gave up their nuclear weapons.*

(Wiki)

No mention at all Ukraine stocking up on new nuclear weapons.

Ruzzia broke the memorandum when int invaded Crimea and the Donbas in 2014.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

When Russia fires a huge volley of 50 missiles, the vast majority are tincan decoys that confuse and tie up air defenses.

Most of their stuff is garbage by design?

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites