Grain ships sail from Ukraine ports as Russian missiles knock out power across country

Smoke rises on the outskirts of the city during a Russian missile attack, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine October 31, 2022. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

Ships carrying grain sailed from Ukrainian ports on Monday despite Moscow's suspension of its participation in a U.N. programme to ensure the safety of such cargoes amid an unrelenting war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said his country would continue implementing the programme, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July and aimed at keeping the supply of food commodities to world markets flowing.