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How Stolen Ukrainian Grain From Occupied Mariupol Reached a UN Supplier—Investigation
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
A Turkish company supplying the United Nations’ World Food Programme has allegedly purchased Ukrainian grain taken from occupied Mariupol and exported by a Russian firm tied to military drone production.
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According to Slidstvo.Info on March 25, Turkish food producer Erisler received wheat originating from temporarily occupied Mariupol through a supply chain involving the Russian company Nika, whose owners are also linked to the production of drones used by Russia’s military.
Journalists traced shipments from 2023 to 2024 showing that Nika exported more than 54,000 tons of wheat from Mariupol to Turkey. The investigation states that the company’s owner, Russian businessman Roman Gurov, is also the general director of Roboavia, a sanctioned firm producing reconnaissance drones “Sarych” and strike UAVs “Surpriz” for Russian forces.
According to the investigation, Russian customs data indicates that Nika exported wheat worth $3.7 million in 2023, totaling approximately 15,500 tons to Turkey and Egypt. In 2024, exports increased significantly to 59,500 tons valued at $12.9 million.
Documents reviewed by Slidstvo.Info reportedly show that all product compliance declarations for Nika’s wheat between July 2022 and early 2026 list production facilities in occupied Mariupol.
Turkish company Global Commodities and Logistics Limited was listed as the official importer in customs filings, while Erisler appeared as the final recipient of part of the shipments. The Turkish firm produces flour and instant noodles, some of which are sold in Ukraine.
The investigation also details a shipment in April 2024 involving the vessel Alfa M, which is under Ukrainian sanctions. According to Slidstvo.Info, the ship transported more than 7,800 tons of wheat from Mariupol to the Russian port of Temryuk, from where it was exported onward to Turkey. In the shipping documents, Mariupol was identified as a Russian city.
Laboratory testing of one wheat shipment received by Erisler in April 2024 was conducted by the Ukrainian office of international inspection company Cotecna in Odesa. The company denied any involvement with goods originating from occupied territories, stating it does not independently verify origin beyond provided documentation.
Global Commodities told investigators it operates “in strict accordance with internationally recognized trade standards” and denied purchasing grain from Mariupol, adding it reserves the right to pursue legal action. Erisler and Nika did not respond to requests for comment, according to Slidstvo.Info.
Earlier, according to Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on March 23, Russia stole approximately 2 million metric tons of Ukrainian grain in 2025 and sold it across markets in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, with around 40% reportedly shipped to Egypt.
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-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
