Foreign vessel detained for illegally exporting grain via Crimea

A pre-trial investigation has established that in November 2024, a cargo ship flying the flag of a foreign illegal state exported over 4,600 tons of wheat from the Sevastopol Sea Commercial Port, which had been officially closed by Ukraine. The grain was likely seized by Russia from the occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.

The agricultural products were transported to third countries using the occupied Crimean peninsula as a transit point.

In April 2025, after loading cargo at a port in Moldova, the vessel entered Ukraine’s territorial waters. While navigating the Danube River, it was detained by law enforcement authorities.

It should be noted that since July 15, 2014, Ukraine has officially ceased operations of all ports located in the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.