Three ships carrying Ukrainian steel products have broken through the Russian sea blockade, marking the first such breakthrough since the start of the war. These ships, trapped in Ukrainian ports since February 2022, are the second, third, and fourth vessels to leave since Russia withdrew from a grain agreement. They carry steel and iron ore concentrate bound for foreign customers, offering a vital economic boost. The effort involved various Ukrainian agencies and is seen as a historic step toward fully unblocking maritime exports of various Ukrainian products.
