Ukraine uses laboratory analysis and satellite data to detect grain stolen by Russia, Economy Ministry says

Ukraine is using laboratory analysis and satellite data to identify grain taken from temporarily occupied territories, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture Taras Vysotskyi said in an interview with Deutsche Welle.

According to him, Ukraine, together with the United Kingdom and Lithuania, has created a database of grain samples collected from occupied territories. The samples are stored in the state seed bank and contain unique markers linked to climate, soil composition, and other characteristics of the area where the grain was grown.

“Based on these markers, a database has been developed that makes it possible, with a probability close to 100%, to determine whether particular grain originates from specific territories,” Vysotskyi said.

The United Kingdom owns the methodology and equipment used for the analysis. Ukraine signed a memorandum with the relevant UK authority, which provided both the technology and the equipment. The laboratory is located in Lithuania, where port infrastructure also allows grain shipments to be inspected, including checks related to possible origin from temporarily occupied territories.

“So today we have laboratory capabilities and markers that make such comparisons possible. What we need for the analysis is a sample,” Vysotskyi said.

According to him, the technology can even detect blending if the share of grain from occupied territories exceeds 10%.

“The technology is quite accurate. If the grain is mixed 50-50, it will definitely be detected. If there is 5% grain from occupied territories and 95% from elsewhere, the probability of detection decreases. But there is also no economic benefit in such blending — it is too labour-intensive. Practice shows that if the admixture exceeds 10%, the technology detects it. It is very difficult to bypass detection through blending while maintaining economic efficiency. But a sample still has to be taken,” he explained.

Satellite data is also used in investigations. For example, if grain is loaded in the ports of Crimea, Berdiansk or Mariupol, this already indicates its likely origin.

According to Vysotskyi, the number of such inspections remains limited — only several dozen cases — as each one attracts significant public attention. Investigations may be initiated by Ukrainian authorities, including the Prosecutor General’s Office, as well as by international partners or certification bodies.

He added that Russia continues exporting Ukrainian grain, although it now does so more cautiously than at the beginning of the full-scale war.

Ukraine is also currently cooperating with Israel in a case involving vessels carrying grain that may originate from occupied territories. The verification process is still ongoing.

Context

• On April 12, 2026, Israel allowed the Russian bulk carrier ABINSK to unload more than 43,700 tons of wheat that had allegedly been illegally removed from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

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

• On April 26, it became known that the vessel PANORMITIS was approaching the Israeli port of Haifa with a cargo that could also originate from occupied Ukrainian territories. The shipment included more than 6,200 tons of wheat and 19,000 tons of barley.
• On April 30, importer Zenziper announced it was postponing the unloading of the wheat cargo carried by PANORMITIS and said the supplier would be forced to find another destination for the shipment. Following the importer’s statement, the Russian vessel left Israel’s coast.
• Ukraine later demanded a laboratory analysis of grain that may have been transported by Russia from occupied territories and delivered to Israel aboard ABINSK.