Russia is shelling Odesa to isolate Ukraine's access to the Black Sea and dictate its own rules for the grain corridor, the secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, Oleksiy Danilov, has said on Facebook.
"The main goal of the Russian missile attacks on Odesa and the region is an attempt to completely isolate Ukraine's access to the Black Sea, and through an act of intimidation to prevent and neutralise international efforts to restore the functioning of the 'grain corridor'. According to the Kremlin's plan, artificial conditions should be put in place to create a threat of famine, primarily for African countries, and to increase the level of migration threats for Europe," Danilov said.
In his opinion, the Russians expect to use blackmail to force the West to accept the Kremlin's "grain ultimatum". This concerns the export of Russian ammonia and the lifting of some sanctions.
At the same time, Danilov suggested that Russia wants to destroy the Ukrainian infrastructure that ensures the operation of the grain corridor in order to make the world dependent on Russian grain.
"The plan is to bring the world to its knees and make Russia a unique grain supplier. After the failure of the idea of an 'energy superpower', Putin wants to become a 'grain superempire'," he said.
Danilov added that Ukraine is aware of Russia's plans and will respond appropriately.