Russia has destroyed nearly 300,000 tons of grain in its attacks on Ukraine since July, the Ukrainian government said today. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said in a statement that 6 civilian ships, 150 port facilities and grain warehouses were bombed in 17 separate attacks. Russia attacked targets on the Black Sea and the Danube River.

The attacks began when Russia withdrew from a grain deal on July 17, which allowed Ukrainian grain to be exported via the Black Sea despite the war. Since the collapse of that agreement, grain exports – one of Ukraine’s most important export products – have been threatened.

This has consequences not only for much-needed income in countries at war, but also for global food security. Ukraine is one of the world’s largest exporters of wheat and corn, and African and Asian countries are its main destinations. “This is an attempt by Russia to exacerbate the food crisis in countries that depend on Ukrainian products,” Kubrakov said.

To get grain out of Ukrainian ports, the country is using a “humanitarian” Black Sea grain route announced in August. According to Kubrakov, 21 ships loaded with grain have already used this corridor.