Marta Gichko13:16, 30.04.26

The OP emphasized that attempts to export Ukrainian grain will not go unanswered, and work to bring them to justice will continue at the international level.

Sweden has seized the dry cargo ship Caffa, which was carrying stolen Ukrainian grain. Ukraine calls for a systematic increase in such actions against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”.

This was stated by the Presidential Commissioner for Sanctions Policy Vladyslav Vlasyuk in a comment to Ukrinform . The official emphasized that this decision is an important precedent in the fight against the illegal export of resources from the occupied territories.

According to Vlasyuk, previously, such vessels were mostly limited to inspections or temporary detentions. Now, confiscation, in his opinion, actually changes the approach to liability.

He noted that Russia is using a “shadow fleet” to export Ukrainian grain and other resources, trying to legalize them through complex logistical schemes and international markets.

The Ukrainian side, according to the official, is systematically working to identify vessels, routes, and operators involved in illegal transportation. Among the methods are tracking switched-off transponders and cargo transshipment on the high seas.

These actions allow us to move the problem from the political level to the legal level and create grounds for sanctions and arrests.

Vlasyuk emphasized that Ukraine welcomes Sweden’s decision and calls for the extension of similar practices to other countries, in particular within the EU, G7, and other international jurisdictions.

(C)UNIAN 2026