KYIV, UKRAINE — Russia continued its attack on Ukrainian ports and grain terminals, hitting on Aug. 2 a main inland port on the Danube River and setting fire to grain storage facilities in Odesa, Reuters reported.

The Port of Izmail is across the Danube from NATO-member Romania and is a main alternative route out of Ukraine for grain exports, after Russia left the Black Sea Grain Initiative on July 17.

The initiative had allowed for the safe passage of 33 million tonnes of grains and other foodstuffs from Ukrainian ports after Russia’s February 2022 attack had halted exports.

Since leaving the grain initiative, Russia has focused its attacks on Ukrainian ports and grain terminals as well as assets on the Danube River, causing grain prices to skyrocket and increasing food security concerns.

Ukrainian officials have said Moscow has hit 26 port facilities, five civilian vessels and 180,000 tonnes of grain in nine days of strikes since quitting the grain deal.

The attack on the port destroyed buildings and halted ships that were preparing to arrive there and load up with Ukrainian grain, Reuters said.

Commercial ship tracking data showed dozens of international ships halting and dropping anchor at the mouth of the Danube. Videos released by Ukrainian authorities showed firefighters battling a fire several stories high and grain spilling out of at least two wrecked silos.

Seaport authority head Yuriy Lytvyn said on Facebook that repair work already had begun, and the port infrastructure continued to operate. There were no reports of casualties.

Wheat futures in Chicago jumped as much as 4.8% to $6.84 a bushel. Wheat prices on Aug. 1 had fallen to the lowest level in two weeks as Ukraine continued looking for alternative grain export routes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken by phone to the Black Sea Grain Initiative sponsor, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

Putin again said Russia would not rejoin the grain deal without a parallel deal improving terms for its own food and fertilizer exports.