Ship carrying 26,000 tons of corn leaves Ukraine in bid to avert famines fuelled by Russia’s invasion

A SHIP full of grain set sail from Ukraine raising hopes of averting Biblical famines fuelled by Putin’s bloodbath invasion. The vessel braved a maze of sea mines as it steamed out of Odesa with 26,000 tons of corn and a Kremlin pledge of safe passage. APA ship carrying 26,000 tons of corn sets sail from Ukraine — raising hopes of averting famines fuelled by Vladimir Putin’s invasion[/caption] Fourteen more vessels are waiting in ports to see if the 186m Razoni reaches the Bosphorus Strait safely. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba hailed the first voyage as a “relief for the world”. The UN warned 44 million people were marching towards starvation due to drought and Russia’s invasion, which halted Ukraine’s grain exports. The voyage follows a landmark deal brokered in Turkey to lift Russia’s Black Sea blockade. READ MORE ON RUSSIA NYET BOTHERED Piers' brilliant reaction as he & Sun war reporter are BANNED from Russia MAD VLAD Putin reveals plan to rule world's oceans by FORCE as he boasts of Zircon missiles Under the terms of the agreement the vessel will stop in Istanbul for inspections before sailing on to Lebanon. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss hailed an “an important first step” but warned: “There must be no repeat of Russia’s shelling of the port of Odesa.” Ukraine is the world’s fifth largest grain producer and a key source of food in the Middle East, East Africa and Asia. Most read in The Sun STANDS UP Love Island fan theory that predicts who wins - and it's been right SIX times SUITS YOU I’ve found the most flattering swimsuit for women with mum-tums from Shein Love Island fans shocked at Paige's reaction as she watches clips with ex Jacques 'disappointed' Gemma Owen's mum sparks fury as she fails to give warning on Love Island IN HIDING Family of murdered girl, 9, are in hiding amid fears they could be targeted PANNED DESIGN My Grand Designs nightmare was dubbed 'saddest ever' - it cost me everything More than 20 million tons are heaped in silos ready to go. Ship tracking data showed the Sierra Leone flagged vessel sailing south east from Odesa before setting course at 10 knots for the Bosphorus Strait. Read More on The Sun HIP HIP BERET! France scraps ALL Covid restrictions for Brits in summer holiday boost THAT'S SO HINCH Mums go wild for Mrs Hinch’s latest range for Tesco with prices from £12 Ukraine fears Russia will use the ships to reveal safe routes through defensive minefields ahead of an assault on Odesa. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov hailed the ship’s departure as “very positive.”