Ukraine minister: Russia has destroyed about 90% of grocery logistics

Ukraine's Agrarian Policy Minister Taras Vysotskyi said Russia has destroyed roughly 90% of retail chains' food logistics infrastructure, but maintained Ukrainians will not go hungry thanks to alternative measures like direct truck deliveries from producers to stores. He acknowledged such workarounds are far more expensive and complicated than the destroyed warehouse networks.

The toll cited includes strikes on Fora, Varus, Silpo and NOVUS distribution centers, plus an Aug. 5 assault on Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast that killed 17 people and destroyed warehouses belonging to Rozetka, Epicentr, Nova Poshta, Intertop and others. Losses at companies like Rozetka, Epicentr and Nova Poshta reportedly run into billions of dollars each, with Rozetka's destroyed Brovary complex alone valued at $70 million.

Vysotskyi conceded that product selection in stores may suffer but insisted there is no threat to basic food availability.

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