Ukraine closes to start exporting wheat, Russia seizes second major power plant

Supply disruptions by the world's two largest grain exporters have caused prices to rise. (File photo: getty images)

Ukraine said on Wednesday it had reopened its Black Sea ports that had been under siege and opened a contact center to monitor the UN-backed deal. Exports are close to resuming.

The progress towards fulfilling the landmark deal came after artillery from Kiev hit a key bridge in Moscow-controlled territory in southern Ukraine, damaging a key supply route.

Ukraine and Russia last week agreed to a plan, with the help of Turkey and the United Nations, to allow grain stuck by Moscow's naval blockade to be exported from three ports.

Kiev has said it will begin shipping millions of tons of grain this week despite Russia's weekend missile attack on the port of Odessa.

According to the Ukrainian Navy, 'work has resumed' on export centers to prepare ships to transport them from mine-strewn waters to global markets.

As part of the agreement, Ukrainian and Russian representatives in Istanbul A coordination center has been opened to monitor safe passage for ships on scheduled routes and inspections of banned weapons. 

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Meanwhile, German officials have said Russia has drastically cut gas supplies to Europe. 

is seen as a response to Western sanctions against Moscow. Meanwhile, Ukraine has announced plans to increase its electricity exports to Europe.

Russia is carrying out a 'massive redeployment' of troops in three southern regions. (File photo: Reuters)

Supply disruptions by the world's two biggest grain exporters have caused prices to rise, making food imports difficult for some of the world's poorest countries. 

Russia seizes Ukraine's second largest power plant 

The Russian military has seized Ukraine's second-largest power plant and is conducting a "massive redeployment" of troops in three southern regions. 

Russian-backed forces said Wednesday they had captured a Soviet-era coal-fired power plant. It is Moscow's first major breakthrough in more than three weeks. 

An adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the seizure of a power plant in the eastern Donetsk region. 

However, he said that this would only marginally benefit Russia.

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