Ukraine Asks Turkey: Detain Russian Ship Loaded With Stolen Grain

According to a Ukrainian official and a document seen by Reuters, Ukraine has requested that Turkey detain and arrest the Russian-flagged cargo ship Zhibek Zholy, which is carrying a cargo of Ukrainian grain taken from the Russian-occupied port of Berdyansk, Jonathan Saul and Jonathan Spicer reported for Reuters.

Photo Insert: The Zhibek Zholy allegedly loaded the first cargo of approximately 4,500 tons of grain from Berdyansk.

According to a Ukrainian foreign ministry official citing information from the country's maritime administration, the Zhibek Zholy loaded the first cargo of approximately 4,500 tons of grain from Berdyansk, which the official said belonged to Ukraine.

Ukraine's prosecutor general's office separately stated in a letter dated June 30 to Turkey's justice ministry that the Zhibek Zholy was involved in the "illegal export of Ukrainian grain" from Berdyansk and was headed to Karasu, Turkey, with 7,000 tons of cargo, which is a larger cargo than cited by the official.

Ukraine requested that Turkey "conduct an inspection of this sea vessel, seize grain samples for forensic examination, and demand information on the location of such grain," according to the letter, adding that Ukraine was ready to conduct a joint investigation with Turkish authorities, Tamara Vaal and Omer Berberoglu reported for Reuters in Istanbul.

A Russian-installed official in Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region announced on Thursday that the first cargo ship had left Berdyansk port without naming the Zhibek Zholy after a several-month delay.

On Friday, Kremlin officials in Moscow did not immediately react to a request for comment. Ukraine has accused Russia of diverting grain from territory taken by Russian forces since their invasion began in late February. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied stealing any Ukrainian grain.

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