US warns of consequences if Russia deploys “dirty bomb”

Kyiv on Monday accused Russia of deliberately delaying the arrival of more than 165 cargo ships from Turkey that were headed to Ukrainian ports to load grain.

Russian inspectors “significantly extend the inspection of ships… As a result, more than 165 ships are stuck in a queue near the Bosphorus Strait, and this number continues to grow daily,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine noted.

“We have reason to believe that the delays in Russia’s inspection of the Grain Initiative vessels are politically motivated,” the report added.

The ships were waiting to undergo a thorough inspection process required under the agreement, which is backed by Turkey and the UN and is aimed at delivering Ukrainian grain to foreign markets and allaying fears of a global food crisis.