Russia Theft Watch
Since its unlawful invasion of Ukraine in February, Russia has systematically stolen and illegally transported massive amounts of Ukrainian assets, primarily steel and grain. The Initiative for the Study of Russian Piracy (ISRP) has launched “Russia Theft Watch” and released its flagship report exposing the magnitude and potential impact of Russia’s looting and transshipment of Ukrainian assets. The report identifies nearly 147 discreet incidents of theft and estimates that a constantly growing total of more than 1.1 million metric tonnes of wheat, corn, and barley has been shipped out of Ukraine.
ISRP and the Russia Theft Watch project serve as a resource for media, stakeholders, NGOs, government officials and the public as the world works together to put a stop to Russia’s assault on Ukrainian sovereignty and their illicit theft of valuable resources.
View / Download The ReportLatest from the ISRP Blog
Russia Prepares to Export Coal From Occupied Donbas Via Mariupol Port
Talks on coal exports from the occupied Ukrainian territories are being held with potential buyers in China, India, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Malaysia.
Captain of USKO MFU Vessel Used to Export Grain From Crimean Ports Served Notice of Suspicion
The ship was detained in the Port of Reni, Odesa region, in July 2024.
Ports in Occupied Crimea Handle About 2 Million Tons of Cargo in 2023
The occupiers export stolen Ukrainian grain through Crimean ports.
Current Series
The Flagship Report
ISRP and Russia Theft Watch’s flagship report identifies 147 discreet incidents
of theft and estimates a constantly growing total of more than 1.1 million metric
tonnes of wheat, corn, and barley has been shipped. The investigators also found that
Russia has taken more than 11,000 metric tonnes of Ukrainian metal products,
largely from the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works plants that had been under siege
in Mariupol, with a total value in the hundreds of millions of
dollars. They found another 28,000 metric tonnes of steel
products loaded onto ships, and nearly 200,000 metric tonnes of metal at the
port that can be stolen by Russia at any moment. The illegal activity has sparked fears of an engineered famine and the
resulting economic impact is already being felt worldwide.
ISRP will continue to track instances of Russian theft and will provide updates as well as
subsequent reports. Check out the report page for the
latest information and research updates.
From the Report
The theft and destruction of hundreds of thousands of tons of grain and other agricultural products will only add to the casualties of this war and spill over to the many countries that rely on Ukrainian grain.
The theft of Ukrainian steel will provide Russia with the means to maintain its troops, weapons and supplies and prolong the war either directly or through the sale, along with the the stolen grain, to other states or private actors.
The brazen nature of its crimes makes it clear that Russia has no intent to make the owners of the stolen resources whole and showcases the characteristic depravity of Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine.
Facts and Figures
Check out the staggering data, facts, and figures from ISRP and Russia Theft Watch’s flagship report. These numbers are increasing daily as the systematic looting and transshipment of Ukrainian assets continues.
The report identifies nearly 147 discreet incidents of theft and estimates a constantly growing total of more than 1.1 million metric tons of wheat, corn, and barley has been shipped.
They found another 28,000 metric tons of steel products loaded onto ships, and nearly 200,000 metric tons of metal at the port that can be stolen by Russia at any moment.
The investigators also found that Russia has taken more than 11,000 metric tons of Ukrainian metal products, largely from the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works plants that had been under siege in Mariupol, with a total value in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
The illegal activity has sparked fears of an engineered famine and the resulting economic impact is already being felt worldwide.
In the News
Submit a Tip
Do you have information about Russia’s theft of Ukrainian assets? Have you witnessed first-hand Russian looting, destruction or transshipment of these assets? Do you wish to share your story with ISRP?
Report it here!