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Smoke rises near grain facilities at Russia's Novorossiysk port on the Black Sea, following a Ukrainian strike on the 12th (local time). / AFP-Yonhap

As attacks by both sides targeting vessels and port facilities in the Black Sea intensify, Ukraine has reportedly proposed to Russia that both sides halt strikes on civilian targets.

Reuters reported on the 13th (local time), citing sources familiar with the matter, that Ukraine's government has conveyed a proposal through a third country to stop attacks on civilian targets in the Black Sea and is awaiting a response.

Both countries, major agricultural exporters, have recently escalated attacks on shipping in the Black Sea and accused each other of doing so.

As Russian airstrikes have continued targeting the Odesa area, southern Ukraine's key grain export hub, major shipping companies suspended port calls there starting in late July, prompting Ukraine to seek alternative shipping routes.

Russia's own grain exports have also been affected, with operations at Novorossiysk port terminals temporarily suspended following Ukrainian attacks.

Before this report, Russia's Foreign Ministry had said that while discussions of a strike pause or ceasefire have been raised through various channels, no formal proposal has been received.

Amid escalating tensions in the Black Sea, Ukraine's grain exports as of August were down about 76% year-on-year.

Following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the UN and Turkey brokered an agreement allowing Ukrainian grain exports to continue in order to prevent a food crisis, but Russia refused to extend the deal the following year.

Since then, Ukraine has operated its own maritime corridor, using it until tensions recently escalated, though alternative routes via rail or the Danube River are reported to have significant limitations.

                                                                                                           Lee Jeong-eun