Russia stole hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of Ukrainian grain

Published Oct 5, 2022

Tridge summary

An investigation by the Associated Press and PBS's "Frontline" has uncovered a complex smuggling operation masterminded by Russia, which involved the use of forged documents and deception to steal at least $530 million worth of Ukrainian grain. The operation, which involved over a dozen ships and the involvement of the Russian company Agro-Fregat LLC, was uncovered through satellite imagery, maritime data, and extensive research. The grain, originally sourced from Ukraine, was transported to various countries, including Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon. The investigation has led to the imposition of sanctions on five representatives of the Russian occupation authorities for their role in the grain theft.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

The Syrian-owned cargo ship Laodicea, which docked in Lebanon in mid-summer, is part of a sophisticated smuggling operation run by Russia. She used forged shipping documents and maritime tricks to steal at least $530 million worth of Ukrainian grain — money that helped fuel Vladimir Putin's war machine. So begins the published investigative journalism of the Associated Press (AP) and the PBS series "Frontline." Poll: What are your average sunflower yields for 2022? When Ukraine signaled that the Russians were stealing its grain, the Kremlin, of course, denied it. In the case of the ship Laodicea, the Attorney General of Lebanon took the Russian position and announced that the 10 thousand tons of barley and wheat flour on board were not stolen and could be unloaded. Using satellite imagery and data from marine radio transponders, the AP was able to track a dozen ships that made more than 50 voyages with grain originating in the occupied areas of Ukraine. They have sailed to ports ...

Source: Agri