OWP published an article stating Snake Island, an island captured by Russia on the first day of its invasion of Ukraine, was abandoned by Russian forces on June 30th. Snake Island’s strategic significance arises from its proximity to the shipping lanes used to export grain from the Ukrainian province of Odesa. Ukraine’s ability to export grain has a significant impact on global food security. According to IFPRI research, Russia and Ukraine collectively supply one-third of the world’s wheat, a quarter of its barley, and three-quarters of its sunflower oil. Ukraine exports 95 percent of its grain through Black Sea ports, many of which are currently under Russian control. Ukraine has been negotiating with neighboring countries such as Poland, Hungary, and Romania to improve railway links while also shipping the grain by road; these methods, however, can only ship out 1.5-2 million tonnes of grain per month compared to the 5-6 million tonnes normally shipped through the ports.
Liberating Snake Island is not enough to ensure global food security (Organization for World Peace)
August 03, 2022