Ukraine's foreign minister: Russia exports Ukrainian grain from occupied territories, intelligence identifies 45 vessels

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has said that Russia has created a shadow grain fleet to export Ukrainian grain from occupied territories, with intelligence identifying 45 vessels involved.

Source: Sybiha on X (Twitter)

Quote: "In 2025, Russia stole more than 2 million tons of Ukrainian grain from our temporarily occupied territories.

Moscow shipped it to markets in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Nearly 40% was delivered to Egypt.

To carry out this illegal trade, Russia used ports in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea and created a shadow grain fleet.

Our intelligence has already identified 45 vessels involved in the theft of Ukrainian grain and its transportation to global markets, and we have sanctioned 43 of them, as well as 39 captains."

Details: Sybiha said that Ukraine is tracking companies involved in this illegal trade: "All of them will feel the impact of Ukrainian sanctions – both judicial and special ones."

He urged European partners to begin a systematic response to this Russian crime.

Ukraine also expects more coordinated action and efforts from the EU border agency Frontex.

The Ukrainian foreign minister believes that in 2026 the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov and the Baltic Sea should be cleared of any Russian shadow fleets.

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