Since the beginning of the year, 25 ships have already exported grain from occupied Ukrainian ports, — Ministry of Foreign Affairs

From January to April alone, 25 vessels of the Russian grain fleet made approximately 50 direct voyages from closed Ukrainian ports in the occupation.

This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha on the social network X.

According to available data, from January to April 2026 alone, 25 vessels of the Russian grain fleet made approximately 50 direct voyages from closed Ukrainian ports in the temporarily occupied territories to ports in third countries. Most of these voyages were for the purpose of transporting illegal consignments of grain.

During this period, more than 850,000 tons of grain were exported from the occupied territories of Ukraine. More than 50% of this total was illegally transported from one closed port in the city of Sevastopol. Another 13% of the total volume was shipped from the ports of Mariupol and Berdyansk on the Sea of ​​Azov.

“We know about the vessels, companies, owners and other details. We see how Russia is trying to evade responsibility by turning off transponders, falsifying coordinates and carrying out ship-to-ship transfers to hide the illegal sale of stolen Ukrainian grain. We will not let this go unnoticed,” Sybiha wrote.

He recalled that Ukraine has consistently considered the issue of closed seaports in the Black and Azov Seas within the framework of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In particular, IMO Assembly Resolution A.1183(33) of December 4, 2023 called on member states to inform their vessels, shipowners, ship operators and insurance brokers about the need to refrain from violating the regime of closed seaports and to investigate alleged violations of this regime.

“In addition, Ukraine has its own very painful historical sensitivity to stolen grain. Our country experienced a famine genocide, the Holodomor, during which grain was taken from our people. We warn all entities and countries that we will respond decisively to any theft of our grain,” the Ukrainian Foreign Minister stressed.

That is why Ukraine is stepping up its efforts to counter Russia’s shadow grain fleet by initiating new sanctions in the EU, G7 and other jurisdictions against anyone involved in this theft and illegal trade, added Sybiha.

Earlier, USM reported that an Israeli importer refused stolen Ukrainian grain due to the risk of sanctions.