Ukraine Sends Israel Request to Seize Vessel Carrying Stolen Grain

Kyiv has asked Israel to detain a vessel suspected of transporting grain looted from occupied territories, as part of a broader crackdown on illicit exports. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied A combine harvests wheat near Kramatorsk, in Donetsk region on August 4, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Known as the world's "bread basket", Ukraine grows far more wheat than it consumes and it's exports contribute to global food security, especially in African countries, which now fear food shortages. Russia announced on July 17, 2023 it's withdrawal from the so-called Black Sea grain agreement allowing safe passage for grain cargo ships from Ukrainian Black Sea ports, leading to a spike in grain prices that has hit poorer countries hard. (Photo by Anatolii Stepanov / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Ukraine has sent a formal request to Israel seeking the arrest of a vessel suspected of transporting stolen Ukrainian grain, Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko said on Wednesday, April 29. The request concerns the vessel PANORMITIS, which Ukrainian investigators believe is part of a scheme to legalize grain illegally exported from Russian-occupied territories. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . Kyiv has asked Israeli authorities to detain the ship, conduct searches, seize documentation, collect grain samples, and question crew members. According to the investigation , the vessel is carrying grain partially sourced from occupied Ukrainian regions and is currently heading to the Port of Haifa. Prosecutors say the ship previously entered closed Ukrainian ports, which constitutes a violation of Ukrainian law and international maritime regulations. The case is being investigated by the Security Service of Ukraine under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, more than 1.7 million tons of agricultural products worth over Hr.20 billion ($454 million) have been illegally exported from occupied Ukrainian territories, according to prosecutors. Ukraine has raised concerns over multiple shipments of grain allegedly stolen by Russia arriving in Israel. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Monday that Kyiv summoned Israel’s ambassador and issued a formal protest over the reported arrival of such cargo at the Port of Haifa. Other Topics of Interest Ukrainian Naval Drones Hit Sanctioned Tanker Near Russian Tuapse Ukrainian naval drones struck a sanctioned tanker near Tuapse, hitting its engine area. The vessel was drifting without cargo and likely awaiting a covert transfer. According to Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz, a vessel carrying grain from occupied territories was awaiting permission to dock, while several similar shipments had already been unloaded earlier this year. Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office has requested legal assistance from Israel to seize the cargo, though it remains unclear whether any action has been taken by the Israelis. Zelensky said Ukraine is preparing sanctions against companies involved in transporting the grain , warning that such trade constitutes handling stolen goods and could damage relations between Kyiv and Jerusalem. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saʼar has denied Ukraine’s accusations that Israel is accepting stolen grain, saying Kyiv has provided no evidence and relied on what he called “Twitter diplomacy.” He said the vessel in question had not yet entered port or submitted documentation, and urged Ukraine to present any proof through official legal channels, stressing that Israel would act only on substantiated claims. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.