Ukraine hits with sanctions against scheme of stolen grain export: vessels and companies fall under restrictions
Ukraine has introduced a new package of sanctions against individuals, companies and sea vessels involved in the illegal export of Ukrainian grain from temporarily occupied territories. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed Decree No. 725/2026, which enacted the respective decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC).
Key points about the new sanctions package:
- Scope of restrictions: sanctions target 13 sea vessels, 11 citizens of the Russian Federation and 28 legal entities.
- Flags of offending vessels: 8 vessels sail under the flag of the Russian Federation, 3 under Panama, one each under Belize and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
- Strike across the entire chain: restrictions are imposed not only on vessels, but also on shipowners, captains and operating companies.
Which vessels have been sanctioned
The sanctions list includes vessels that, according to Ukrainian authorities, were used for illegal export of agricultural products from captured ports. Eight of the 13 vessels sail under the Russian flag, three under the flag of Panama, and one each are registered under the flags of Belize and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
The restrictions affected shipowners, captains and companies involved in logistics. In this way, Kyiv is trying to block the entire chain — from organizing loading and chartering to service companies ensuring vessel operation.
How the grain export scheme works
After the occupation of part of southern Ukraine, Russia gained access to agricultural products and port infrastructure in the seized territories. Grain is exported through occupied ports and then delivered by sea to foreign markets.
To maintain such trade, intermediary structures, fictitious shippers and shadow operators are used. Sanctioning key links in the scheme is expected to complicate voyage insurance, vessel maintenance, banking settlements and international chartering.
Why Ukraine expects synchronization of sanctions with partners
National Ukrainian sanctions have limited direct impact on foreign companies and vessels operating outside Ukraine's jurisdiction. Therefore, Kyiv shares the collected evidence with international partners, seeking mirror restrictions in the EU, the US and other countries.
The Presidential Office expects allies to close their markets to exported Ukrainian grain and to shut ports and banking system to violating vessels.
Prosecution of vessels for agri-products export
In parallel, Ukraine uses mechanisms of international justice and criminal prosecution. Earlier, the Supreme Court of Sweden finally allowed the transfer to Ukraine of the vessel Caffa, arrested on suspicion of transporting grain from temporarily occupied Sevastopol to the Syrian port of Tartus.
The new decree demonstrates a shift to systematic counteraction: Ukraine hits not only individual voyages, but the entire infrastructure of the Russia's shadow maritime logistics.
Sources: Office of the President of Ukraine, Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 725/2026
