Russian grain routes shift through Latvia as Ukraine strikes disrupt Russian logistics
Russian grain is now largely shipped through Latvia to reach global markets, while recent Ukrainian attacks have halted flights at Moscow's main airport and damaged a key weapons component factory.
Prozerno reports that Russian grain exports are increasingly funneled through Latvia, with rail transport accounting for roughly 65% of the flow in September after the traditional Black Sea corridor became less viable. Latvia permits transit despite banning direct imports from Russia since 2024, while neighboring Estonia has prohibited any Russian grain passage. The largest buyer of this grain is Iran, complemented by markets in Egypt, Azerbaijan and Nigeria.
Concurrently, Ukrainian attacks have struck deep inside Russia: drone raids grounded flights at Sheremetyevo airport, cancelling 85 departures and delaying 229, and forced the evacuation of a high-rise building housing government ministries. In Orjol, a Ukrainian ballistic missile damaged the Proton-Electrotex facility, a key supplier of components for Russia's defense industry, resulting in three fatalities. Additional strikes hit a chemical plant in Toljatti and the Jeisk military airfield, and caused power outages across several Ukrainian regions.
Why it matters
The shift in grain routes highlights sanctions workarounds, while Ukrainian strikes show expanding reach into Russian infrastructure.
How this story developed
- Oct 3 Russian missile attacks damage Kyiv's Northern Bridge, halt east-west traffic
- Oct 17 The council adopted conclusions to keep budget negotiations ongoing after the summit.
- Oct 17 Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski announced that the United States is considering a three-way meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President Donald Trump, with possible venues ranging from the Gulf to Europe.
- Oct 18 Ukrainian drones launched a large-scale attack on St. Petersburg early on Oct. 18, triggering multiple explosions and fires across the city.
- Oct 18 The Latvian military has declared an orange warning for three municipalities along the southern border with Lithuania, citing a confirmed threat to the country's airspace.
- Oct 18 Ukraine’s Patriot interceptor stockpile has been reported as exhausted amid the recent Russian missile barrage.
- Oct 18 Zelensky highlighted that cooperation with Ukraine provides real‑world testing for French defence products.
- Oct 18 Authorities confirmed one fatality and five injuries resulting from the St. Petersburg raid.
- Oct 19 The United States continues to review the feasibility of a trilateral summit with Putin and Trump.
- Oct 19 Trump suspended a sanctions package on Russia, lifted a restriction on Russian diesel exports, and blamed Zelenskyy for prolonging the war.
- Oct 19 Lithuania issued a red air warning and urged shelter use while Latvia withdrew its orange alert.
- Oct 20 Trump signed a waiver temporarily lifting most sanctions on Russia.
- Oct 20 Ukraine began pursuing German seaports as an alternative export route.
- Oct 22 EU officials began diplomatic talks with the United Kingdom and Canada to close the €70 billion financing gap.
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