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Sybiha says in 2025, Russia stole more than 2 million tons of Ukrainian grain

15 January 2026 12:06 (UTC +04:00)

"Our intelligence has already identified 45 vessels involved in the theft of Ukrainian grain and its transportation to global markets, and we have sanctioned 43 of them, as well as 39 captains," Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, said on his X account, APA reports.

"In 2025, Russia stole more than 2 million tons of Ukrainian grain from our temporarily occupied territories. Moscow shipped it to markets in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Nearly 40% was delivered to Egypt. To carry out this illegal trade, Russia used ports in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea and created a shadow grain fleet," Sybiha noted.

"We are also tracking companies involved in this illegal trade. All of them will feel the impact of Ukrainian sanctions—both judicial and special ones," Ukrainian FM warned.

I urge our European partners to begin systematically countering this Russian crime and the threat to global food security that such actions represent.

According to him, it is important to deploy all possible instruments, both national and international: "We also expect more coordinated actions and efforts from the Frontex agency."

"We already have experience in countering Russia’s shadow tanker fleet. Now it is time to stop the expansion of Russia’s shadow grain fleet as well. After all, this is not only a threat to global food security but also another source of funding for the Kremlin regime and its war machine. In 2026, the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, and Baltic Sea must get free of any Russian shadow fleets," Andrii Sybiha added.