Several hours after leaving the southern Ukrainian port of Odessa, the German cargo ship "Joseph Schulte" successfully crossed the Ukrainian part of the Black Sea. Meanwhile, the United States has criticized the recent Russian attacks on Ukrainian Danube ports.
"I can confirm that the ship has left Ukrainian waters," said a spokeswoman for the Bernhard Schulte shipping company in Hamburg on Wednesday evening at the request of the German Press Agency. According to the ship information service Marine Traffic, the freighter "Joseph Schulte" was sailing in Romanian waters not far from the town of Sfântu Gheorghe at the time.
A little later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on the platform formerly known as Twitter: "Ukraine has taken an important step towards restoring freedom of navigation in the Black Sea."
The Hong Kong-flagged ship had docked in Odessa the day before the Russian invasion began and was then stranded there for a year and a half because of the war of aggression. It left the port on Wednesday morning - and was the first ship to use a temporary corridor set up by Ukraine, which leads to and from Ukrainian seaports. It can be used by merchant ships at their own risk.
Zelenskyy: Ukraine increases drone production
In his evening video address, Zelenskyy also emphasized the importance of drones for the defense of his country. "Drones are the 'eyes' and protection on the front line. (...) Drones are a guarantee that people will not have to pay with their lives in cases where drones can be used," he said. Ukraine is in the process of significantly increasing the production of unmanned objects. Zelenskyj also underlined the importance of drone deliveries by international partners.
Ukraine no longer expects F-16 fighter jets in 2023
Ukraine is no longer counting on the long-awaited US F-16 multirole fighters this year. "It is obvious that we cannot defend Ukraine with F-16s this fall and winter," Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said on Ukrainian television. "There was great hope that this plane would become part of our anti-aircraft defense system and protect us against rocket and drone terror from Russia."
The fact that Ukrainian pilots and technicians could start training on the jets "in the near future" is progress, Ihnat was quoted as saying by the Kiev media.
A coalition led by Denmark and the Netherlands formed within NATO in the summer to train Ukrainian pilots for the F-16. The USA also agreed to this. Aircraft could also be handed over later from stocks in the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark or Norway. However, the promised training between those involved has not yet been organized. The current ground offensive by Ukrainian troops suffers from the lack of air protection.
USA: Putin doesn't care about global food security
The US, meanwhile, condemned Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports on the Danube estuary, which are important for grain exports. Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin does not care about global food security, said a spokesman for the US State Department. The attacks further escalated the global food crisis and kept food prices high. This affects those who are particularly dependent on grain and Ukrainian farmers.
London: Ukraine has enough energy reserves for winter
According to British estimates, despite the war, the energy supply in the Ukraine is secured for the coming winter. According to the Ministry of Defense in London, Ukraine will probably have sufficient fuel reserves. In addition, the Ukrainian government has "effectively mobilized" the mining sector and can manage a continuous supply of coal for thermal power plants and combined heat and power plants. "Substantial gas supplies" are also available.
"Although Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure are expected to continue this winter, Ukraine proved last winter that it has the skilled workforce and expertise needed to operate and maintain the power grid even in wartime conditions ", it was said in London.
What is important today
In the east and south of Ukraine, Kiev's counter-offensive to liberate the areas occupied by Russia continues.
