The United Nations warned of a food crisis that may be prolonged due to the war in Ukraine, currently affecting 1.6 billion people.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned in several statements that "millions may die of hunger because of the Russian blockade of the country's Black Sea ports."

He also confirmed that his country is unable to export wheat, corn, oil, and other products, adding that millions could starve if the Russian blockade continues.

It is noted that alongside the military battles taking place on the ground between Ukrainian and Russian forces, there is also a battle on agricultural fronts between the two sides.

Yesterday, Wednesday (June 8, 2022), United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, while presenting the second UN report on the repercussions of the conflict, warned that "the impact of the war on food security, energy, and finance is comprehensive, severe, and accelerating." He also warned that "the war threatens to unleash an unprecedented wave of hunger and misery, leaving social and economic chaos around the world."

The control of the Russian fleet over the Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea, particularly the port of Odesa, caused the halt of grain exports, especially wheat, for which Ukraine was the third largest global exporter before the outbreak of the conflict between the two countries.

Conversely, Moscow previously accused the West of responsibility for global supply shortages due to the sanctions imposed on it.

Meanwhile, Kyiv rejected those claims, confirming that the Western sanctions imposed on Russia do not include wheat and grains.

Since the launch of its military operation in Ukraine on February 24, Russia has imposed a naval blockade on the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea,

thus besieging the ports that used to export grains, especially wheat and sunflower oil, which led to a rise in prices globally amid fears of impact on several poor countries in Africa and the Middle East.