Kernel calls on the international community to strengthen the protection of Ukraine’s ports

Recently, Russian attacks on humanitarian cargo in the ports of Greater Odesa have intensified, with three civilian vessels targeted in just the past four days. On the night of October 10, a container ship carrying 45 containers of packaged sunflower oil produced by Kernel came under fire. This shipment was part of a UN-ordered humanitarian aid consignment for Palestine.

Despite the challenges of war, Ukraine remains committed to being a guarantor of global food security. We urge the international community to implement all necessary safety measures to protect Ukrainian humanitarian cargo. These shipments, clearly non-military, have repeatedly been targeted by Russian missiles and have often failed to reach their destinations, endangering global food security. If the aggressor is not stopped, more severe attacks will follow.

It is critical to end the terrorizing of Ukrainian seaports-through sufficient weaponry, air defense systems, diplomacy, sanctions, and accountability for each war crime. We call on international institutions to take decisive action to safeguard the ports of Odesa and the humanitarian food missions from Ukraine.