MOSCOW, 7 June. /TASS/. The Mariupol seaport received first cargo ships, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Tuesday.
"The demining of the Mariupol seaport has been completed. It functions as usual and received first cargo ships," Shoigu said.
He added that the seaports of Mariupol and Berdyansk are operating normally and ready to ship grain. "The seaport of Berdyansk has started operations. As instructed by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, we are ready to load grain in these ports (Berdyansk and Mariupol - TASS)," the defense minister said.
At the same time, the Russian Ministry of Defense together with Russian Railways, created conditions for resuming full-fledged railway traffic between Russia, Donbass, and the territory of Ukraine at six sections, Shoigu said. "With the joint efforts of the Russian Ministry of Defense and Russian Railways, conditions have been created for resuming full-fledged traffic between Russia (the main part of the country's territory - TASS note), Donbass, Ukraine, and Crimea at six railway sections. We have started delivering goods to Mariupol, Berdyansk, and Kherson," he said.
According to the minister, two oil and 14 gas fields, as well as 33 coal mines, continue to operate without interruptions after being taken over by the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR). "The uninterrupted operation of 33 coal mines, two oil and 14 gas fields that came under the control of the Lugansk and Donetsk People's Republics during the special military operation continues," he said. "In addition, 57% of the capacities of the Ukrainian metallurgical industry are concentrated in the liberated territories," the minister added.