Russia declares emergency in Krasnodar Krai as Ukrainian strikes disrupt grain exports
Authorities in Russia's Krasnodar Krai have declared a regional state of emergency after Ukrainian attacks disrupted port operations and shipping, leaving agricultural producers struggling to export large volumes of grain.
Governor Veniamin Kondratyev signed the decree on Sept. 23, according to Russia's Interfax news agency.
The decree says the emergency situation has existed since Aug. 12 due to "massive attacks on logistics infrastructure," the suspension of port operations and disruption of shipping in the Azov-Black Sea basin.
As a result, agricultural producers have been unable to sell significant volumes of their products, causing an oversupply of grain on the domestic market, according to the document.
Regional authorities said the situation could cause significant financial losses and affect people's livelihoods. The regional Agriculture Ministry was instructed to monitor the situation and assess its socioeconomic consequences.
The emergency comes as Russia is seeking alternative export routes amid attacks on its Black Sea ports. Reuters reported on Sept. 21 that Moscow was redirecting some cargo through Baltic and Arctic ports, including Ust-Luga and Murmansk.
Krasnodar Krai is one of Russia's largest agricultural regions. It expects to harvest 13.4 million metric tons of grains and legumes in 2026, 17% more than last year, according to Interfax. Its winter wheat harvest rose 21% to 11.4 million tons.
Russia has also intensified attacks on Ukrainian Black Sea ports and commercial shipping. Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Mykola Kalashnyk said in September that Russian attacks had damaged or partially destroyed 1,173 port infrastructure facilities and 274 civilian vessels since the start of the full-scale invasion.
Ukraine says cargo handling at the ports of Greater Odesa fell more than fifteenfold after Russia intensified attacks on shipping in July.
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