Ukrainian presidential advisor Serhii Flash has reassured citizens that they will not face hunger, urging them to ignore rumors and panic surrounding potential food shortages. “Friends, we will not die of hunger. Do not succumb to rumors, misinformation, and panic-driven sentiments,” he emphasized.
Flash noted that producers and sellers are currently restructuring their supply channels. He mentioned that if necessary, Europe would gladly fill any food supply gaps through exports. He stated, “Our enemy does not target food; it attacks large businesses that pay taxes and create jobs.”
In response to a post discussing the threat of food shortages following Russian strikes on food storage facilities, Flash incorporated a screenshot from a report by The Washington Post. The article claimed that as a result of such attacks, supermarkets in Ukraine are experiencing empty shelves, leading to concerns over a catastrophic food deficit.
The report indicated that the Ukrainian government is allegedly remaining silent to prevent panic, while Russian forces intensify attacks on logistics networks to demoralize the population.
Context
- Russia regularly attacks civilian infrastructure in Ukraine; on August 5, significant damage occurred to the sorting center of Nova Poshta, as well as to the main facilities of Epicenter and the Rozetka distribution center, as reported by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
- The supermarket chain Fora announced on August 7 that following damage to distribution centers from Russian strikes, there might be limited product selection in their stores. Customers reported on social media partially empty shelves, particularly lacking fruits and vegetables.
- Ukrainian Minister of Agrarian Policy Taras Vysotsky stated that Russian attacks have destroyed about 90% of the food logistics for retail networks. He assured that while there is no threat of a deficit in basic food products, the variety of available goods may be somewhat reduced.
