The intelligence agency summarized its findings in three points:
- From Ukrainian ports More agricultural products were shipped in December 2023 than at any time in the nearly two years of the Russian invasion. The reopening of the Black Sea ports and shipping corridor that Kiev unilaterally announced certainly played a big role in this matter. The volume of monthly exports exceeded what happened during the grain deal concluded by the United Nations and Turkey with Moscow and Ukraine.
- These positive statistics are largely supported by the fact that the Ukrainian Armed Forces succeeded in preventing the Russian Navy from securing the western basin of the Black Sea. The Russian Navy still fears Ukrainian anti-ship missiles and seaplanes. Ships can navigate the area with greater confidence, thanks to the UK reducing insurance premiums on ships heading there, and because Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria have begun a joint mine-clearing operation.
- The security of the Black Sea Corridor is of vital importance to Ukraine, as the majority of the country's income comes from the export of agricultural products. In addition, the phenomenon of Russia not launching attacks against civilian cargo ships is also encouraging.
Cover image is an illustration, source: Getty Images
