Ukraine has exported approximately 13 million tons of products over some 400 ships through a protected maritime corridor established after Russia withdrew from a safe passage agreement in July, a government minister said on December 30. The sea corridor created and secured by Ukraine has allowed the country to sustain critical exports despite Russia’s threats.

Ukraine Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said he was “grateful” to Ukraine’s partners “for ensuring the operation of the corridor in conditions of military aggression,” according to the Voice of America.

The Minister noted that despite systematic Russian attacks on the Ukrainian port infrastructure, the ports accepted 430 vessels for loading through the Ukrainian sea corridor.