Romania outraged by Russian strike on Ukrainian port near its border

The latest Russian attack on Ukraine's export infrastructure took place in Reni, on the Romanian border. Photo: Twitter

Romania condemned the attack by Russian drones on the Ukrainian port near its border, which has become a vital link in the grain export route from Kiev through the Danube Delta.

Bucharest said the attack on Reni, on on the opposite eastern bank of the Danube, violated «international humanitarian law», but did not threaten Romania.

“These attacks on civilian targets and infrastructure in Ukraine are unjustified,

The attack on Reni was part of a wider Russian drone attack on Ukrainian export facilities on the eve of a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss rebuilding the devastated Black Sea . grain deal.

Official officials in Odessa said 25 Iranian-made Russian drones attacked the port at night. Three drones broke through the Ukrainian air defense systems, attacked the port and injured two people.

In Reni, Russian bloggers reported that drones had hit fuel depots. In July, Russian drones also attacked Reni.

Reni is located on the westernmost point of Ukraine, on the border with Romania and Moldova. Before the war, it was hardly used for grain export, but was renovated as Ukraine looked for alternative export routes to the Black Sea.

Moldova, formerly ruled by Moscow, also criticized the attack. Her government is strongly pro-Ukrainian and accuses the Kremlin of trying to destabilize the country.

«Russia must be held accountable for every destroyed infrastructure,» said Maia Sandu, President of Moldova.

p>Danube Delta «critical» for Ukrainian exports

The Kremlin has been attacking Ukraine's grain infrastructure since July, when it withdrew from an agreement that allowed Ukraine to export grain from its Black Sea ports. It said they pulled out of the deal because Ukraine refused to reopen an ammonia pipeline that runs from central Russia to the Black Sea.

Many countries are grappling with a potential global food crisis following Putin's withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal. Photo: Getty Images/Paula Bronstein

Ukraine said the Danube Delta has now become «critical». for export as he can use the river system to send grain to Europe.

Putin and Erdogan are due to meet to discuss the renewal of the Black Sea grain deal on Monday in Sochi on Russia's Black Sea coast. Turkey has become an important mediator between Russia and Ukraine and its allies.

In a telephone conversation with Emmanuel Macron on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelensky said he had discussed «ways to ensure the functioning of the grain export corridor.» .

Grain from the Black Sea region is considered vital for preventing famine in low-income countries.