Ukraine: Kyiv and Moscow have reported significant damage to a pipeline that is used to transport Ammonia fertilizer from Russia to Ukraine, which could have serious complications for the Black Sea grain deal negotiations going forward. The Russian defense ministry stated that a "Ukrainian sabotage group" had detonated an explosive device in a section of the pipeline on Monday night near the Kharkiv region's Masyutivka village. The village is situated along the frontline between Russian and Ukrainian troops, and because of this terrorist attack, there were casualties among civilians who received the necessary medical assistance, according to the Russian ministry.

Currently, Ammonia residue is being released from the damaged areas of the pipeline on Ukrainian soil, and there are no reported casualties among Russian military personnel. However, Oleh Sinehubov, governor of Ukraine's Kharkiv region, differed from Moscow's claim, stating that Russian troops shelled the pipeline. Sinehubov reported that six Russian shells landed close to a pumping station adjacent to Masyutivka at approximately 5:45 p.m. (1445 GMT) on Tuesday - nearly 24 hours after Russia had accused Ukraine of bombing the same pipeline. Meanwhile, Russian agencies have stated that the operating company has confirmed the safety and control of the Russian segment of the pipeline.

The Russian section of the Ammonia pipeline is separate from the Ukrainian portion and is secure, operational, and under continuous monitoring. The resumption of supplies from the Tolyatti-Odesa pipeline, which is the world's longest Ammonia pipeline, may be crucial to re-establishing the Black Sea grain export agreement. Russia shut down the pipeline in February 2022 when it invaded Ukraine under the guise of a "special military operation.

Russia has expressed uncertainty about renewing the grain deal, which facilitates agricultural exports from Ukraine via the Black Sea and was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey. Moscow has set several conditions for renewal, one of which is the reopening of the Togliatti-Odesa pipeline. According to U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, the United Nations had not received any official notification on Wednesday concerning damage to the pipeline.

U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric voiced concerns about the Ammonia pipeline and stated that any threats to it are indeed worrying. He also declared that they are continuing to engage with the involved parties on Ammonia exports, regardless of what might have happened. Until the pipeline is reopened, Moscow will curtail the number of ships authorized to sail to Ukraine's Pivdennyi port near Odesa as per the agreement.

According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, repairing the damaged section of the pipeline would take between one and three months. In a Wednesday briefing, Zakharova stressed that the Ammonia pipeline was a crucial component for implementing the agreements made in Istanbul on July 22 and was essential for global food security.