SBU exposed a scheme in Odessa to legalize almost 8 thousand tons of grain stolen by Russia

In Odessa, the SBU detained two company executives suspected of helping Russia sell stolen Ukrainian grain. According to investigators, they forged documents for almost 8,000 tons of wheat worth over 60 million hryvnias, which the occupiers took out of Mariupol.

This is reported by the SBU.

According to law enforcement officials, the director of the Odessa branch of a foreign company that certifies agricultural products and the head of the laboratory of this company are involved in the scheme.

The investigation found that in 2024, the Russians loaded 7,857 tons of Ukrainian wheat onto the sanctioned ship “Alpha M” in the port of occupied Mariupol. From there, the grain was transported to the Russian port of Temryuk in the Krasnodar Territory, where they issued forged documents stating its alleged Russian origin.

The cargo was later transported to a Middle Eastern country, where it was planned to be sold through a local exporting company.

To hide the true origin of the wheat, the Russians turned to the management of the Odessa enterprise. According to the investigation, the branch director and the head of the laboratory knew that the grain had been stolen from Ukraine, but agreed to issue fictitious laboratory test results.

In the documents, they indicated that the wheat allegedly came from Russia. This was supposed to allow them to sell the stolen products abroad.

SBU officers detained both suspects. During searches of their homes and the company’s office, law enforcement officers seized computers, phones, documents, and fake laboratory reports.

Investigators informed the detainees of suspicion of aiding the aggressor state, committed by a group of individuals in prior conspiracy.

The court remanded both in custody. They face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.