Grain in exchange for Shahed drones: Trans-Oil responds to accusations of supplying grain to Iran
3.07.2026 - 17:00
Moldovan group Trans-Oil has denied allegations that its founder Vazhy Jashi was involved in a scheme to supply Ukrainian grain to Iran.
According to the authors of the investigation by Ukrainska Pravda, Russia used this grain as payment for Iranian Shahed drones, writes Bloomberg.
The investigation by Ukrainska Pravda does not mention Trans-Oil, but it claims that the founder and shareholder of the company Vazhy Jashi could have been involved in an illegal scheme to supply Ukrainian grain to Iran through companies controlled by him. According to the authors of the investigation, Russia used the grain as payment for Iranian Shahed drones.
In a statement, Trans-Oil said that the company and Vazhy Jashi “fully and categorically reject the allegations made in recent Ukrainian media reports.”
The company called the claims “complete fabrications” and said it had hired international law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP to investigate the circumstances of the publication.
Trans-Oil’s bonds fell sharply after the story was published. According to Bloomberg, the $300 million 2031 notes are currently trading at about 70 cents on the dollar, down 21 cents from Tuesday’s opening price. The $450 million 2029 notes are also trading at about 70 cents on the dollar.
Trans-Oil Group operates in the grain, flour, vegetable oil and meal markets. The company owns oilseed processing plants in Moldova, Romania and Serbia, purchases some of its grain from Ukraine and has two port terminals in Reni, Odesa region.
Ledesma Agro is also mentioned in the criminal case materials. The investigation believes that in 2025-2026 the company shipped grain for export, which according to documents was headed to Turkey, but in fact could have been delivered to Iran.
The head of Ledesma Agro, Artur Zolotarevsky, denied the company’s involvement in these deliveries, stating that it did not export to Iran, did not ship grain to the XIN YU vessel, and is cooperating with the investigation.
Read also: Stolen Ukrainian barley went to Iran as payment for Shahed drones, — SBU.
