Associated Press: Since the beginning of the war, Russia has abducted Ukrainian grain for half a billion dollars. To hide theft, grain poured from the ship to the ship directly into the sea

After the start of the war, Russia abducted Ukrainian grain in the amount of at least $ 530 million. This conclusion was reached by the Associated Press agency based on the results of the investigation, within the framework of which journalists studied satellite pictures, documents, transponders and reports on social networks.

Journalists were able to track more than 50 flights with grain from the occupied regions of Ukraine to the ports of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and other countries that made about 30 ships.

As an example, AP in its material in detail the route of the Laodicia vessel in detail. At the end of July, it moored in the port of the city of Tripoli in Lebanon; The authorities of this country then rejected Ukraine’s statements that Laodicia was transporting stolen grain. It was officially argued that the goods on the ship were immersed in the port of the Caucasus in the Rostov region, but satellite pictures indicate that in fact the ship set off from Theodosia in Crimea. The grain on the peninsula was probably hit by Melitopol, captured by Russian troops in the early days of the war, in particular, on various videos made in Melitopol and when unloading in Lebanon, identical bags are visible.

According to AP, the "United Shipbuilding Corporation" was involved in smuggling. Through her subsidiary Crane Marine Contractor, she bought three cargo ships a few weeks before the invasion. Subsequently, they made at least 17 flights between Crimea and ports in Turkey and Syria.

The transshipment of Ukrainian grain often occurs right into the sea, writes AP. The data of the transponders show that large cargo vessels are removed from the coast of Russia and are found on the open sea with smaller ships, which are taken out of the Crimean ports. After that, these large vessels deliver grain to countries such as Egypt, Libya, Iraq, Saudi Arabia.

The authors of the investigation also claim that the recipients of stolen grain could be the authorities of Turkey. The data of the transponders and satellite images show that the vessels transporting the Ukrainian grain were moored to the docks of elevators, which is managed by the Turkish Council of Grain - a state -owned company that is engaged in import and export of agricultural products. At the same time, the Turkish Foreign Ministry in June stated that Ankara did not find any evidence of the illegal export of grain.

Ukraine is one of the world's largest grain exporters. In 2021, the country sold grain for $ 12.4 billion. After the start of the war, the removal of products by sea was stopped; The UN warned about the danger of a global food crisis. In July, through the mediation of Turkey and the UN, Russia and Ukraine entered into an agreement that allowed export to resume.