Cargo ship Super Bayern (C), carrying Ukrainian grain, sails at the entrance of Bosphorus, in the Black Sea off the coast off Kumkoy, north of Istanbul, on November 2, 2022. (Photo: AFP)

Russia confirmed Thursday that it had allowed the extension of the Ukraine grain deal after the extension was announced by the UN, Ankara and Kyiv.

"The Russian side is also allowing for the technical extension of the grain initiative without changes in terms or scope," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, after fears that the landmark deal allowing the resumption of Ukrainian grain exports would not be reconvened.