Karina Bovsunovska19:14, 05/16/24

In this way, Russians transport Ukrainian grain for sale in other countries or the Russian Federation.

Since February 2022, Russia has registered 892 agricultural companies in the occupied territories of Ukraine . More than half of them were opened by entrepreneurs from Russian regions, the rest – “local residents”. This is reported by the Russian edition “Vazhnye istorii” .

According to journalists, the Russians are opening companies in the occupied territories to export Ukrainian grain. Among these companies, they managed to find at least one, which belongs to 43-year-old Elbek Zaiev from Chechnya. According to the publication, his brother Ali Zaiev is included in the list of security forces who are close to the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov. 

It is noted that in the photos found by journalists, you can see that Ali Zaiev is standing next to two brothers from the Delimkhanov family. A relative of this family, State Duma deputy Adam Delimkhanov, is “Kadyrov’s right hand”. In another photo, Zaiyev was dressed in a military uniform, standing with other security forces and with Kadyrov himself. 

Also, in one of the messages on the “United Russia” website, Ali Zaiyev is mentioned as a representative of the regional fund named after Akhmat Kadyrov, that is, the murdered father of the current head of Chechnya. 

The journalists added that Elbek Zaiev registered his company “Agro 24” in February 2024. It is located in the village of Askania-Nova, in the Kherson region. According to the documents, she is engaged in the cultivation of grain crops, wholesale trade of grain and other types of agricultural activities. However, it is difficult to calculate how much money Zaiyev earned from the sale of grain from the occupied territories, because the company did not publish financial statements, and, according to “Vazhnyh istory”, calculations are made in cash. 

How Russia steals Ukrainian grain

Earlier it was reported that a Russian ship was spotted in the port of Mariupol , which became the first ship since 2024 in the city. 

“By appearance, the cargo capacity is up to 3,500 tons. Apparently, another batch of grain will be stolen. This is the first vessel recorded in the Mariupol port since the beginning of 2024. Spring navigation has resumed,” – said Petro Andryushchenko, adviser to the mayor of Mariupol, at the time.

The mass media also reported that in February, Lithuania resumed purchases of grain from Russia , importing 12,200 tons worth 1.95 million euros. At the same time, the Lithuanian Ministry of Agriculture called for banning the import of grain from Russia and Belarus to EU countries.

(C)UNIAN 2024