Russia halts participation in Ukraine grain agreement

Russia has suspended its participation in a landmark agreement that allowed vital grain exports from Ukraine after what it said was a drone attack on Russian ships in occupied Crimea. Russia's defence ministry said Ukraine attacked the Black Sea Fleet near Sevastopol in the annexed Crimean Peninsula with 16 drones in the early hours of Saturday, and that British navy "specialists" had helped coordinate the "terrorist" attack. London bluntly rejected Moscow's claim. The Turkey and UN-brokered deal to unlock grain exports signed between Russia and Ukraine in July is critical to easing the global food crisis caused by the conflict. The agreement has already allowed more than 9 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain to be exported and was due to be renewed on November 19.