Between port bombings and air raid sirens, life in Odesa goes on

The new grain deal should help the Black Sea port's economy - but existence has been hollowed out by the pressure of war

Barely 12 hours after Moscow signed a deal with Ukraine to allow monitored grain exports from Ukraine's southern ports, Russia targeted the country's main port of Odesa - through which grain shipments would take place - with cruise missile strikes.

The attack raised new doubts about the viability of the deal, which was intended to release about 20m tonnes of grain to ward off famine in parts of the developing world.