Russia, Defense: 12 Kiev drones shot down

The Russian Defense Ministry said it had shot down two Ukrainian Storm Shadow cruise missiles, five HIMARS rockets and 12 drones in the past 24 hours. “Furthermore, 12 Ukrainian drones were destroyed in different areas of the Donetsk People's Republic, Berdyansk area and Balochka, Zaporozhye region,” the Russian Defense press service said.

In total, 444 Ukrainian military aircraft, 240 helicopters, 4,845 drones, 426 anti-aircraft missile systems, 10,430 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,134 combat vehicles of rocket launch systems have been destroyed since the start of the special military operation multiple, 5,291 field artillery pieces and mortars, as well as 11,324 units of special military vehicles.The agreement allows food and fertilizers to be exported from three Ukrainian ports: Chornomorsk, Odesa and Pivdennyi (Yuzhny). The agreement has been extended three times, the last time until 17 July.

"The attitude of the West towards this agreement is scandalous," Lavrov told reporters, pointing in particular to the positions of the United States and Great Britain.Lavrov said one of Russia's last chances was the attack on the Togliatti-Odesa ammonia pipeline, an attack he blamed on Ukraine, which in turn accused Russia of damaging it.“I don't see what arguments those who would like to continue the Black Sea initiative can make,” Lavrov said.

Russia and Ukraine are two of the world's leading agricultural producers and major players in the markets for wheat, barley, corn, canola, rapeseed oil, sunflower seeds, and sunflower oil. Russia is also dominant in the fertilizer market.If the grain deal fails, Lavrov said, Russia would supply grain to the world's poorest countries at Moscow's expense.