Ukraine has called on Israel to arrest a shipment of grain allegedly originating from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories after it arrived at the Port of Haifa aboard the Russian vessel ABINSK, which Kyiv links to Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet.”
According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the vessel may be involved in operations used by Russia to “illegally export, transport, and sell stolen Ukrainian grain” from occupied territories and finance its war against Ukraine.
Despite Ukraine’s request, the cargo was allowed to be unloaded, a fact corroborated by Kyiv Post’s sources at the Ukrainian Embassy in Israel, which previously called on Jerusalem to thoroughly examine the cargo.
The vessel has since departed.
The shipment – estimated at 43,765 tonnes of wheat – was reportedly loaded at Russia’s Kavkaz port and is believed to originate from Ukrainian regions under Russian occupation.
Citing materials from the Prosecutor General’s Office, including a Ukrainian court decision ordering the arrest of both the vessel and its cargo as part of an ongoing criminal investigation, Kyiv said it had submitted a request for international legal assistance to Israel.
The foreign ministry said it expects Israeli authorities to apply relevant legal mechanisms under Israeli jurisdiction and to take steps to arrest the specified shipment.
Ukraine expressed hope for “fruitful and constructive interaction” between the competent authorities of both countries and confirmed that its embassy in Israel remains in constant contact with Israeli counterparts.
Israeli authorities have not publicly clarified whether the shipment has been placed under administrative hold or whether any further action is being considered.
Adopting a balanced decision
Axios journalist Barak Ravid reported that Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told his Ukrainian counterpart that the vessel could not be detained because it had already left. It is unclear whether Ukraine’s request concerned the vessel, the cargo, or both.
The final destination of the shipment and the identity of the buyer remain to be clarified. It is also unclear whether the grain has been cleared for distribution or remains under review.
Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of exporting grain from occupied territories since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, describing such shipments as part of broader economic exploitation.