11 July 2024

Ukraine Has Apprehended a Vessel that Violated National Border Regulations by Exporting Agricultural Products through the Occupied Territory of Crimea

Ukraine has arrested a vessel that illegally crossed the national border of our country and was exporting agricultural products through occupied Crimea. Previously, such arrests were made only in absentia. The cargo ship Usko Mfu flying the flag of Cameroon was arrested in the Reni Seaport in the Odesa region. The vessel, loaded with barley, was heading from the Giurgiulesti International Free Port in Moldova to Greece. It was intercepted by a military boat. The captain of the vessel was served a notice of suspicion. An investigation is underway into the possible export of grain of Ukrainian origin from occupied Crimea on this vessel.

The arrest was made at the request of the Prosecutor’s Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, and the reason was the vessel’s calls to the ports of occupied Sevastopol in May and June. Last year, this vessel was also involved in the illegal export of Ukrainian grain from Crimea. 

Russia has continued to export Ukrainian grain that has been stolen through the ports of Crimea, which is currently under Russian occupation. Ukraine has repeatedly alleged that Russia is using ports such as Sevastopol for this purpose. Recently, Ukraine issued arrest warrants for 24 vessels involved in these operations.