russia has stolen 15 million tons of Ukrainian grain since full-scale invasion – Vysotskyi

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, russia has stolen around 15 million tons of Ukrainian grain from the occupied territories, including Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia regions and Crimea, Deputy Economy Minister of Ukraine Taras Vysotskyi told Reuters in an interview.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, the stolen grain is mixed with russian grain at Black Sea ports and then exported. Kyiv considers this grain stolen and calls on Western partners to impose sanctions on its importers.

In one instance, Ukraine urged the EU to impose restrictions on Bangladesh for purchasing wheat from occupied territories, but the bloc did not take action. Traders claim that once the grain is mixed, its origin cannot be determined.

Meanwhile, russian occupation authorities are reporting increased harvests in Luhansk region and plan to expand planted areas. Part of the grain is expected to be exported under a preferential regime that removes export duties.

Ukraine insists that any grain harvested in occupied territories is illegally exported and must be subject to international sanctions.