Investigation Exposes How Russia Illegally Exports Ukrainian Grain as Its Own

An investigation by Schemes and partner organizations has uncovered how Russian firms have been shipping tens of thousands of tons of wheat, barley, corn, and peas out of occupied parts of Ukraine to countries like EU member Spain, NATO member Turkey, and Azerbaijan. Satellite estimates indicate that at least 6.4 million tons of wheat alone were harvested from Russian-occupied Crimea and other Russian-held regions of Ukraine in 2023.

Hacked documents, leaked Russian customs data, and trade database information confirmed the role of at least four Russian companies - Agro-Fregat, Pallada, Sim-Trans Group, and TD Fregat - in these illegal grain transactions. The investigation reveals how Russia is undermining Ukraine’s war-battered economy and generating revenue to finance its invasion, by passing off Ukrainian grain as its own exports. This practice highlights Russia’s efforts to exploit Ukraine’s agricultural resources and capitalize on the country’s status as a global breadbasket.