Investigation: Saudi Arabia imports stolen grain from occupied Crimea

Saudi Arabia has joined the list of countries importing grain under Western sanctions from the ports of occupied Crimea.

This is stated in a joint investigation by Bellingcat and Lloyd’s List.

Using satellite imagery and AIS data, analysts tracked that in September and November of this year, the bulk carrier Krasnodar (IMO:9296781) left the Avlita terminal in Sevastopol and headed to the King Abdullah Port and the Jazan port in Saudi Arabia via the Bosphorus. Bellingcat confirmed both actions of the vessel.

Thus, Saudi Arabia became the next buyer of grain stolen from Ukraine. Before that, such cargoes were received by Iran, Syria, Egypt, Turkey, Venezuela and areas of Yemen controlled by the Houthis.

In particular, during the voyages, the ship regularly turned off its AIS. The bulk carrier was repeatedly recorded at the Avlita terminal after returning to the Black Sea.

The vessel is operated by the Russian company Petrokhleb-Kuban. The company categorically denies involvement in the export of Ukrainian grain and claims that the vessel “does not operate in the port of Avlita.” At the same time, satellite images from Planet Labs and Sentinel-2 refute these claims.

The Krasnodar vessel at the Avlita terminal.

Read also: Ukraine warned Turkey about a vessel with stolen grain that left occupied Mariupol.