President Zelenskyy reacts to arrival of second vessel carrying stolen Ukrainian grain in Israeli port

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has responded to the arrival in Israel of another vessel carrying Ukrainian grain taken from temporarily occupied territories.

The head of state marked that such grain cannot be considered part of legal trade, and its purchase in “all normal countries” entails legal liability.

“This is not and cannot be clean business. The Israeli authorities cannot be unaware of which vessels and what cargo arrive at the country’s ports,” the president said.

Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia is systematically exporting grain from occupied territories and selling it through structures affiliated with the occupiers. Ukraine, he noted, has already used all diplomatic mechanisms to prevent such cases, but the new vessel was not stopped.

In response, the president instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inform international partners about the situation.

Ukraine is also preparing a sanctions package against participants in this scheme — including carriers, companies, and individuals involved in trading such grain. The measures are expected to be coordinated with European partners.

Haaretz reported that the European Union is considering imposing sanctions on Israeli individuals and companies that help Russia circumvent international restrictions, and is also seeking explanations from Israel regarding imports of stolen Ukrainian wheat.

The EU statement followed a Haaretz investigation showing how grain taken by Russia from occupied Ukrainian territories ends up in Israel.

EU foreign policy spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said that the bloc had “taken note of reports that a Russian ‘shadow fleet’ vessel carrying stolen Ukrainian grain was allowed to unload at the port of Haifa, despite prior appeals from Ukraine to the Israeli side.”

The EU, together with Ukraine, is also requesting additional information from Israel regarding the situation.

Following the publication of the investigation, Israeli Ambassador to Ukraine Michael Brodsky was summoned to Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry and is expected to arrive in Kyiv for talks. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated that the country would review the facts presented and remains in contact with the Ukrainian side, noting that the issue is being addressed through diplomatic channels.

The Ukrainian Embassy has also filed an official protest with Israel’s Foreign Ministry over the admission of the vessel, which is currently awaiting unloading at the Port of Haifa.

How Russia’s scheme for selling stolen Ukrainian grain works

The Haaretz investigation outlines a scheme used by Russia to trade grain taken from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.

Russian vessels use ship-to-ship (STS) cargo transfers at sea. Grain is transferred between ships approximately 10 km offshore, particularly in the area of the Kerch Strait — between Russian territory and occupied Ukrainian ports.

Some bulk carriers receive cargo from so-called “floating grain storage” units, while others are supplied by smaller vessels transporting grain directly from occupied territories. During such operations, vessels switch off their AIS tracking systems to avoid detection, which typically violates international maritime rules.

While ship-to-ship transfer itself is not illegal, disabling AIS near Ukrainian ports and during loading — and switching it back on afterward — raises suspicions about the origin of the cargo. The vessels then proceed to Israel, where they unload grain at the ports of Port of Haifa and Port of Ashdod.

Journalists tracked vessel routes using data from MarineTraffic, satellite imagery from Planet Labs, and the EU’s Copernicus Programme.

Russian suppliers attempt to conceal the origin of the grain. In particular, Israeli importers report receiving documentation claiming the wheat is of “Siberian origin” and transported west by rail.

However, verifying such claims is difficult, and only after appeals from the Ukrainian side did some buyers begin to suspect the grain originated from occupied Ukrainian territories.

Timeline of events

On April 12, 2026, Israel allowed the Russian bulk carrier ABINSK (IMO: 9303869) to unload more than 43,700 tons of wheat illegally taken from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.

Israel did not detain the vessel despite Ukraine’s request.

On April 26, it was reported that the vessel PANORMITIS (IMO: 9445021) was approaching the Israeli port of Haifa with a cargo that may originate from occupied Ukrainian territories. On board are more than 6,200 tons of wheat and 19,000 tons of barley.