Ukraine war: Russian air forces chief fired, grain infrastructure hit, Moscow drone attack

Russian General Sergei Surovikin, who was once in charge of the offensive in Ukraine, has been sacked from his post as commander-in-chief of the aerospace forces, according to several Russian media reports.

The news comes two months after the Wagner rebellion, with which Surovikin has previously been associated.

"Army General Sergei Surovikin has been dismissed," state news agency Ria Novosti said on Wednesday, citing a source familiar with internal movements in the army.

According to the outlet, Surovikin has been replaced by General Viktor Afzalov.

Neither the Kremlin nor the Russian Ministry of Defence have made any immediate announcements, although changes within the Russian military often take place under the radar. 

Russian drones have damaged grain infrastructure in the Odesa region overnight, local governor Oleg Kiper said Wednesday morning.

"Production and transhipment complexes” were hit, including “ granaries", but there were no civilian casualties, according to him. 

Wednesday morning's attack - which the governor said lasted "three hours" - follows a spate of strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure for exporting its crops, such as grain silos and ports.

Ukraine's primary inland port across the Danube River from Romania was targeted by Russia earlier in August. 

The strikes have pushed food prices higher, with Ukrainian a crucial exporter of grain on world markets, especially for Africa and Asia. 

Moscow in July refused to extend the landmark Black Sea agreement, which lifted its blockade on Ukrainian ships. 

Kyiv has tried to defy the move, despite Russia claiming it would attack its ships. But the series of strikes on Ukrainian grain infrastructure, which began with the termination of the deal, are hampering its attempts