Ukraine intensifies fight against illegal grain exports: Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces hundreds of thousands of tons of exports from occupied territories

Since the beginning of 2026, Russia has illegally exported more than 850,000 tons of grain from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. This was reported by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiga, emphasizing the systemic nature of such actions and the need for an international response.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during January-April, at least 25 vessels of the so-called Russian “shadow grain fleet” made about 50 voyages from ports in the occupied territories of Ukraine to third countries. Most of these shipments concerned illegally exported Ukrainian grain.

More than half of the total volume, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was exported through the closed port in Sevastopol. Another 13% – through the ports of the Sea of ​​Azov, in particular Mariupol and Berdyansk. To hide the origin of the cargo, Russia uses various schemes: disabling transponders, changing coordinates, as well as reloading grain from ship to ship.

The Foreign Minister stated that Ukraine possesses information about the vessels, companies and their owners and intends to prosecute the persons involved in international jurisdictions. In particular, Kyiv will initiate new sanctions in the European Union, G7 countries and other partner states.

Ukraine systematically raises the issue of violation of the closed ports regime within the International Maritime Organization. Relevant international documents oblige states and shipping companies to refrain from entering such ports and investigate possible violations.

Sybiga also recalled the historical context, emphasizing that for Ukraine the topic of illegal grain seizure is of particular importance in connection with the Holodomor tragedy. According to him, the state will react harshly to any attempts at illegal trade in Ukrainian agricultural products.

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, more than 1.7 million tons of agricultural products worth over 20 billion hryvnias have been exported from the occupied territories.

Ukraine continues to work with international partners to bring those responsible to justice and strengthen control over compliance with international law in the field of maritime transport and trade.