Over 30 vessels and 80 captains: intelligence gathered evidence regarding the theft of Ukrainian grain
8.04.2025 - 17:30
Currently, the evidence base includes 39 dry cargo vessels and 80 captains involved in the export of Ukrainian agricultural products from the territories temporarily occupied by the Russian invaders.
The scheme of illegal export and sale of agricultural products from the TOT allows Russia to export about 3 million tons of grain annually, according to the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.
Mostly stolen grain is exported to African and Middle Eastern countries.
The department reported that it has formed an evidence base regarding 39 bulk carriers involved in illegal operations with Ukrainian grain. Intelligence also identified more than 80 captains (mostly Russian citizens) who manage this fleet.
“In particular, the captain of the “grain fleet” is a key person in the transport operation. De facto, he is a connecting link between the seller and the buyer and has complete information about the goods being transported by the vessel. Bringing them to justice is a matter of time,” the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine notes.
The department emphasized that there are already precedents for sanctioning ships and captains involved in the theft of Ukrainian grain and its sale on the markets of third countries. Last year, the EU Council applied restrictions against four bulk carriers — San Damian (IMO:9274331), San Cosmas (IMO:9274343), San Severus (IMO:9385233), Enisey (IMO:9079169).
In addition, in April 2025, OFAC sanctioned Russian citizens Yuriy Belyakov and Vyacheslav Vidanov, who at different times were captains of the dry cargo vessel Zafar (IMO:9720263), which delivered 100 thousand tons of wheat to Yemen.
As USM previously reported, the invaders want to export up to 12 million tons of stolen resources from the port of Mariupol every year.
