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Russian Vessel Carrying Looted Ukrainian Grain Reroutes to Syria After Egypt Refusal
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The Russian bulk carrier Mikhail Nenashev has changed its course and is now heading toward the Syrian port of Tartus.
The vessel was originally transporting appropriated Ukrainian grain from occupied territories to Egypt, according to Babel on April 29.
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Kateryna Yaresko, a journalist for the SeaKrime investigative project, reported the change in destination. According to Ukraine's Military Intelligence (HUR), the ship is currently under sanctions by Ukraine, the European Union, and Switzerland for its role in transporting looted cargo.
Prior to this shift, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi stated that a ship carrying appropriated grain was en route to Egypt. This occurred despite previous assurances from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Egypt would stop importing stolen Ukrainian grain.
The Mikhail Nenashev is reportedly carrying 27,400 tons of wheat. This cargo was loaded at the Avlita grain terminal in occupied Sevastopol, Crimea between April 22 and April 25. The grain originated from occupied areas in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, as well as Crimea.
Syria continues to import stolen Ukrainian grain in large quantities through a state-owned company. Additionally, the vessel Sparta, owned by the company Oboronlogistics, is also heading to Tartus to supply the Russian military contingent.
On April 16, 2026, Ukraine requested urgent clarification from Israel after reports surfaced that a vessel linked to Russia’s "shadow fleet" had docked at the Port of Haifa. The ship, identified as the "ABINSK," was reportedly carrying grain believed to have originated from Ukrainian territories occupied by Russian forces.
In response, the Ukrainian Embassy warned that the shipment violated international law and Ukraine’s sovereignty. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said such trade supported Russia’s war effort, though Israeli authorities later allowed the vessel to depart on April 15, despite Kyiv’s request for seizure.
While Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized that such illegal trade supported Russia’s broader war effort, Israel ultimately granted the ship permission to leave on April 15, despite Ukraine’s calls for the cargo to be seized.
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