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Two arrests in connection with shipping stolen Ukrainian wheat
Ukraine’s Security Service and Prosecutor General’s Office were proceeding with the case against the Russian captain of the cargo m/v 'Matros Pozynich' (IMO: 9573816), Mykola Telagin, 54, who has been accused of controlling the ship transporting stolen grain from Crimea. According to the investigation, the grain export was carried out by the decision of the top political leadership of the aggressor country. Such actions violate the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit the theft of property in occupied territories,” said the SBU. The investigation confirmed that the vessel, which was sold in 2022 to Russian interests, with its flag moved from the Marshall Islands to Russia, had transported more than 54,000 tons of grain that they assert was taken from Ukrainian farmers. One shipment of over 27,000 tons was transported in November 2022, and the second load consisting of 27,300 tons was transported in January 2023. Both shipments were taken out of Crimea and delivered to Latakia. The investigation indicated that the captain periodically turned off the AIS and transmitted inaccurate information about the vessel’s location. They asserted the wheat was presented as if it had come from Russia. Investigators of the Security Service informed the captain in absentia of the charges on suspicion of a violation of the laws and customs of war and violation of the procedure for entering and leaving the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine with the aim of causing harm to the interests of the state, committed by an organised group. It was the first time Ukraine has charged a captain with a war crime for his role in the export of grain. Investigators continued to dig into the case were are looking for further accomplices. In a separate development, they also reported on Oct 19 that two pesons were arrested in Odesa on charges of aiding Russia to transport stolen grain through the Port of Mariupol for sale to third countries. They had helped Russia hide the origin of stolen agricultural products worth over $1.3 million. The report alleged that in 2024, the smugglers loaded 7,857 tons of Ukrainian wheat onto the sanctioned 'Alpha M', now sailing as 'Irkutsk', in the port of Mariupol. From there, the stolen cargo was transported to Temryuk, Krasnodar Territory, where fictitious documents were issued stating that the grain was of Russian origin. After that, the agricultural products were delivered to the Middle East for further sale through a local exporting company. During searches of their homes and the company's office, computer equipment, mobile phones, documentation, and forged laboratory reports containing evidence of crimes were reportedly discovered. The two men were placed in detention and faced up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property. Several similar cases have been filed, and Ukraine has seized a few smaller cargo ships on charges of entering the closed ports of occupied Crimea or transporting grain and other materials out of the region.
A number of vessels which export coal from occupied Ukrainian territory identified
The 'Alfa M' is among those vessels, the Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service has idientfied to be involved in Russia's export of coking coal from temporarily occupied territories through the port of Mariupol, as part of a deliberate strategy to exploit the occupied territories, violating international law and the rules of warfare. The 'Alfa M' exported about 40.000 tons, the 'Alfa 1' more than 20,000 tons of coking coal, the 'Alpha Hermes' more than 5,000 tons, the "Victoria K' more than 20,000 tons, and the 'Victoria V' more than 35,000 tons, totalling to 120,000 tons of coal. The value of this coal will be sufficient to produce thousands of tons of steel. Russia is using the occupied Ukrainian territories as a source of raw materials to secure its economy. which is a serious violation of international humanitarian law, including the 1907 Hague Convention, which prohibits the use of resources of occupied territories for the benefit of the occupier without the consent of the legitimate authority.
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