Russia’s Torching of Wheat Fields in Ukraine May Not Disrupt Global Supplies as Much as Putin Hopes

Russia’s Torching of Wheat Fields in Ukraine May Not Disrupt Global Supplies as Much as Putin Hopes

Eastern European media outlet posted this photo of a Ukrainian wheat field purportedly set alight by ... [+] Russian incendiary shells. Videos of burning Ukrainian wheat fields set alight by Russian forces are making the rounds on social media. As reprehensible as they appear, they may not be inflicting the market disruption and food insecurity that Moscow desires. Reports of intentional torching of Ukrainian wheat fields by Russian forces or partisans have been in the press for well over a month. Though Kyiv claims the fires have been purposely triggered by Russian incendiary shells and other weapons, such claims have of intent have not been independently confirmed. Nevertheless, recent photos and videos do show Ukrainian wheat going up in flames. As these images circulate, U. S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken estimated that 20 million tons of Ukranian grain is sitting in locked silos outside Black Sea port Odesa. More is waiting on ships blocked from leaving Ukraine's key strategic port. On Sunday Blinken said, "President Putin is stopping food from being shipped and aggressively using his propaganda machine to deflect or distort responsibility, because he hopes it'll get the world to give in to him and end the sanctions...