Cargo ship carrying Ukrainian grain checked by inspectors

Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish and UN officials visit the cargo ship Razoni (Khalil Hamra/AP)

Inspectors have boarded the first cargo ship to leave Ukraine since Russia invaded its neighbour after the vessel anchored off Istanbul.

Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish and UN officials have been checking if the grain shipment is in accordance with an agreement signed last month by Moscow and Kyiv to unblock Ukraine’s agricultural exports and ease the global food crisis.