Cargo ships loaded with grain and other agricultural products left Ukrainian ports on Monday despite Russia's decision to pull out from a landmark deal.
At least six ships including the Ikaria Angel - chartered by the World Food Programme and loaded with 30,000 tons of wheat destined for an emergency response in the Horn of Africa - left Ukrainian ports on Monday, according to a website that tracks marine traffic.
In all, 12 ships were due to leave Ukrainian ports on Monday and four were due to head to the country, according to the Joint Coordination Center (JCC) that has been overseeing the agreement brokered by Turkey and the UN.
The traffic came days after Russia notified the UN and Turkey that it was suspending its participation in the grain agreement, after Moscow accused Ukraine of a "massive" drone attack on its Black Sea Fleet in Crimea.
Monday's shipping schedule was agreed by the Ukrainian, Turkish and UN delegations, with Russia informed of the movements, the JCC said in a statement late on Sunday.
Ukraine, one of the world's largest grain exporters, was forced to halt almost all deliveries following the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in late February.
The July deal to unlock its grain exports is critical to easing the global food crisis caused by the conflict. The agreement, which established a safety corridor through which vessels could travel to Istanbul, Turkey for inspections, had already allowed more than 9.5 million tons of Ukrainian grain to be exported and was due to be renewed on November 19.
At least six ships including the Ikaria Angel - chartered by the World Food Programme and loaded with 30,000 tons of wheat destined for an emergency response in the Horn of Africa - left Ukrainian ports on Monday, according to a website that tracks marine traffic.
In all, 12 ships were due to leave Ukrainian ports on Monday and four were due to head to the country, according to the Joint Coordination Center (JCC) that has been overseeing the agreement brokered by Turkey and the UN.
The traffic came days after Russia notified the UN and Turkey that it was suspending its participation in the grain agreement, after Moscow accused Ukraine of a "massive" drone attack on its Black Sea Fleet in Crimea.
Monday's shipping schedule was agreed by the Ukrainian, Turkish and UN delegations, with Russia informed of the movements, the JCC said in a statement late on Sunday.
Ukraine, one of the world's largest grain exporters, was forced to halt almost all deliveries following the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in late February.
The July deal to unlock its grain exports is critical to easing the global food crisis caused by the conflict. The agreement, which established a safety corridor through which vessels could travel to Istanbul, Turkey for inspections, had already allowed more than 9.5 million tons of Ukrainian grain to be exported and was due to be renewed on November 19.
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