Israel allows unloading of Russian vessel carrying stolen grain from occupied Ukrainian territories after three-week delay
On April 12, 2026, Israel authorized the Russian bulk carrier ABINSK (IMO: 9303869) to unload more than 43.7 thousand tons of wheat that had been illegally exported from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, according to the SeaKrime project and journalist Kateryna Yaresko.
The vessel had been stationed off the coast of Israel since March 23, awaiting permission to enter port for 21 days.
Vessel Movement Timeline
- March 17, 2026 — the ABINSK departed from occupied Kerch;
- the grain was transported from occupied Ukrainian ports to the anchorage of the Port Kavkaz, where it was transshipped onto the bulk carrier;
- March 23 — the vessel arrived off the coast of Israel;
- April 12 — permission was granted to enter the Port of Haifa and unload.
Grain Exports from Occupied Territories
According to Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service, grain exports from temporarily occupied territories, disguised as Russian-origin shipments, have become a systematic mechanism.
In 2025, more than 2 million tons of grain were exported from the occupied territories. The bulk of these volumes is routed through the infrastructure of Sevastopol and Kerch.
