Ukraine Catches Russian “Shadow Fleet” Vessel in Broad Daylight

In a fresh blow against Russia’s economic crimes, Ukraine’s Maritime Border Guard, together with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), intercepted a vessel from Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” in the Black Sea.

The ship was caught transporting Ukrainian grain stolen from Russian-occupied Crimea. According to investigators, in late 2024, the vessel carried approximately 5,000 tons of Ukrainian wheat from the port of Sevastopol — grain that had been unlawfully seized from temporarily occupied territories in southern Ukraine.

In an effort to disguise the true origin of the cargo, the vessel operated under the flag of an Asian country — a common tactic employed by Russia’s shadow fleet to dodge international sanctions and oversight.

During a search of the vessel, Ukrainian authorities seized navigation equipment, shipping documents, and other crucial evidence that confirmed the ship’s involvement in the smuggling operation.

The ship has been formally placed under arrest, and its crew handed over to law enforcement for further legal proceedings. A pre-trial investigation is currently underway.