Latest Ukrainian press reports state that a Russian vessel loaded with stolen Ukrainian grain has unloaded its cargo in Haifa, Israel and left the harbour despite calls by the Ukrainian government to seize the vessel. Israel has been a known serial violator of sanctions against Russia, even importing large volumes of Russian oil.
The Russian cargo-vessel Abinsk I unloaded up to 43,800 tonnes of wheat in Haifa upon its arrival on Sunday. The grain was loaded at a port in Crimea. The sale of the grain violated European and US sanctions. The Israeli press is reporting that Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar informed the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Syhbiha that “it was too late” to seize the vessel, although the Ukrainian government informed the Israeli government of the vessels arrival well in advance.
The current destination of the vessel remains unknown but it has regularly called at Turkish ports during the course of Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Russia is trading and selling stolen Ukrainian grain with its vessel and the practice is outlawed by the EU and the US. Sweden has recently seized a Russian vessel engaged in the Ukrainian-grain trade with the ship used to export to Syria. Recently, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said that Syria will end its practice of importing stolen Ukrainian grain from Russia and will instead pivot to import Ukrainian grain legally.
You can read the official statement by the Ukrainian government here.
Feature photo by Vessel Finder.
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