Russia’s theft of Ukrainian grain surpasses 30 billion hryvnias

The losses from Russia's theft of Ukrainian grain have exceeded 30 billion hryvnias, but that figure is not final, according to Yuriy Bielousov, head of the Department for Combating Crimes Committed in Armed Conflict at the Office of the Prosecutor General on Saturday, Sep. 21.

"Russia is essentially blackmailing the international community by creating a real threat of famine for other countries," Bielousov said.

He explained that countries in Africa and Asia, which rely on Ukrainian grain, are now at risk due to Russian strikes on grain and port infrastructure. Ukraine remains one of the key suppliers for the World Food Programme.

The Prosecutor General's Office has identified two distinct periods of Russian attacks on Ukraine’s agricultural infrastructure, linked to the grain deal. Before the deal was signed, strikes were carried out using artillery systems in frontline areas.

"After Ukraine refused the aggressive conditions imposed by Russia, the scale of the attacks intensified. Odessa and the Odessa Oblast, which have the most advanced and developed infrastructure, became the primary targets," Bielousov added.

Russia has been using various weapons, including Shahed drones, Iskander missiles, tactical aviation missiles, and sea- and land-based rockets.

Bielousov emphasized that Russia aims to deprive Ukrainians of their means of survival by either stealing grain or destroying it if theft proves impossible.

He also noted that current losses from the grain theft are preliminarily estimated at over 30 billion hryvnias.

On Sep. 12, Russian forces struck a grain ship en route from Ukraine to Egypt, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

IC UAC according to NV