Ukraine confiscates ship for illegally entering Crimea’s ports

The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reported this news on October 9. 

The court ruled to transfer the vessel to state control due to violations of Ukrainian law and international regulations.

The captain faces charges under Part 2 of Article 332-1 of the Criminal Code for violating entry procedures into occupied territories to harm state interests.

“Ukraine is committed to defending its sovereignty in its territorial waters. All ports in Crimea and the Sea of Azov remain closed to commercial activities. Any operations in these ports violate international norms and Ukrainian law,” the State Border Guard Service emphasized.

Details on detained ship

In July, the Security Service of Ukraine detained a foreign cargo ship and its captain in the Odesa region. The ship was helping Russia illegally ship Ukrainian grain from Crimea.

Flying the flag of a Central African country, the crew had taken an order from Russia to ship grain from the occupied peninsula.

Investigations revealed that from 2023 to 2024, the ship frequently docked in Sevastopol to load stolen agricultural products. It then took the cargo to the Middle East for sale to Russia.