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https://theconversation.com/russias-blockade-could-cause-mass-famine-beyond-ukraine-but-its-a-crime-without-a-name-183429>
"Trying to gauge the worst aspect of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is
difficult. For some, it will be the illegal invasion itself. For others, the
war crimes or crimes against humanity committed since.
But measured in terms of pure human suffering, the worst atrocity may well turn
out to be famine beyond the immediate warzone. With Russian blockades of
Ukrainian ports preventing the export of grain, there are now warnings of mass
starvation in other countries.
But while invasions and war crimes are recognised as breaches of international
law, causing famine as collateral damage in countries not directly related to
the war is not a recognised crime. There is not even a name for this type of
atrocity, one that could kill millions.
Ukraine is one of the world’s most important breadbaskets and a major cog in
the global food economy. There have been direct attacks on Ukrainian grain
storage facilities, but Russia knows the most effective economic damage lies in
targeting export routes on land and sea. Over 70% of Ukrainian exports,
including 99% of its corn, go by ship.
Russia has suspended entry into the strategic Sea of Azov on Ukraine’s
south-east coast and effectively blockaded the northern part of the Black Sea,
where Nato says the risk of collateral damage or direct attack on merchant
ships is high.
Dozens of other vessels are stuck in Ukrainian ports, and soaring shipping
prices and rising insurance rates are pushing merchant vessels to safer
locations."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
