Russian Vessel Seized in Odesa Port For Illegally Exporting Ukrainian Grain Through Occupied Crimea

To evade sanctions, the vessel repeatedly changed its name and ownership, registering under companies based in third countries.

Following an investigation procedurally overseen by the Prosecutor’s Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol, a Russian vessel involved in the illegal export of Ukrainian agricultural products through temporarily occupied Crimea has been detained and seized in the Port of Odesa.

The Office of the Prosecutor General announced this in a statement, the CFTS portal reports.

Investigators established that the bulk carrier systematically entered closed Crimean ports.

According to investigators, the vessel illegally loaded over 6,900 tons of Ukrainian wheat at the Port of Sevastopol in January 2021 and subsequently exported it to an African country.

In December 2025, the captain of the ship was notified of suspicion of committing offenses punishable under Section 2, Article 332-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

To evade sanctions, the vessel repeatedly changed its name and ownership, registering with controlled companies based in third countries.

In December 2025, while sailing under a foreign flag, the vessel re-entered the Port of Odesa, where it was identified and detained. During the subsequent search of the ship, investigators seized documents issued by the occupation administration, as well as technical evidence of the crime.

At the prosecutors’ request, a court ordered the seizure of the vessel. Currently, measures are being taken to transfer management of the asset to the Asset Recovery and Management Agency. The investigation is ongoing.