Ukrainian officials have reported a nighttime air attack by Russia on one of Ukraine’s crucial grain-exporting ports, just hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan were scheduled to engage in talks on the topic of regional food security.

The attack has heightened tensions in the region, particularly as it coincides with efforts by Ankara and the United Nations to resurrect a Ukraine grain export agreement that previously alleviated global food shortages.

The Ukrainian air force issued an urgent advisory to residents of Izmail port, situated on the Danube River in the Odesa region and one of Ukraine’s primary grain-exporting hubs, instructing them to seek shelter after midnight on Monday.

Reports from Ukrainian media outlets suggested that explosions were heard in the vicinity of the port.

The meeting between Putin and Erdogan, taking place in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, is of significant importance as Ankara and the UN endeavour to rekindle the Ukraine grain export pact. Turkey has underscored the talks’ vital nature for the success of this agreement.

Russia withdrew from the deal in July, citing obstacles faced by its own food and fertiliser exports, coupled with what it perceived as insufficient Ukrainian grain allocation to countries in dire need.

Subsequently, Moscow has escalated its attacks on the Danube River ports, which have since become Ukraine’s primary conduit for grain exports.

Monday’s air strike, the full scale of which remains uncertain, follows a series of Russian strikes on Sunday that targeted the other major Danube port, Reni, resulting in damage to the port’s infrastructure and at least two injuries.