Ukraine expresses anger as Israel allows Russian ship carrying stolen grain to dock in Haifa

Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Andri Sybiha said that he spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar, about a Russian vessel carrying stolen Ukrainian grain, which was reportedly allowed to dock in Haifa recently. 

“I held a call with my Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar, on a wide range of bilateral issues,” Sybiha wrote on social media. 

“I also drew attention to a Russian vessel carrying grain stolen from Ukraine that was allowed to dock in one of Israel’s ports,” Sybiha continued. “I stressed that the illegal export of stolen Ukrainian agricultural products is part of Russia’s broader war effort. Such illegal trade with stolen goods must not be allowed.” 

I held a call with my Israeli counterpart @gidonsaar on a wide range of bilateral issues.

We focused in particular on security matters and the situation in the Middle East, exchanging views on possible further developments.

I also drew attention to a Russian vessel carrying…

— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) April 14, 2026

The Ukrainian Embassy in Israel expressed “deep concern” over the incident, with Ukrainian Ambassador Yevgen Korniychuk telling the Times of Israel, “Israel wouldn’t be very happy if we started buying from Iran.” 

“We avoid doing that,” he added. “We believe we can request the same from you related to Russia.” 

The Ukrainian Embassy said the shipment could constitute “a blatant violation of international law and Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty.” 

Korniychuk gave the Foreign Ministry’s Economic Department evidence to prove the illegal provenance of the grain on March 27, however, the ministry has apparently been waiting for an official request from Ukraine’s prosecutor general. 

That request was reportedly received by Israel’s Ambassador to Kyiv Michael Brodsky on Tuesday, and was passed on to the ministry. 

The vessel, a Russian cargo ship called ABINSK, arrived at the port of Haifa on Sunday, according to tracking data shared by the Ukrainian project Myrotvorets. The ship is carrying around 44,000 tons of wheat taken from Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia during the current war. 

The vessel is owned by a Dubai-registered company, Strategic Grain Management. Ukraine says the company trades in grain from the occupied Ukrainian territories. It has asked Israel to detain the vessel until the matter is investigated. 

The arrival of the grain, and the complaint by Ukraine’s foreign ministry, highlights the tensions between the two countries, who share several common enemies, but have not cooperated with each other deeply, due to mutual lack of trust. 

While many Israelis are supportive of Ukraine in its fight against Russia, Israel was discouraged that Ukraine did not express more support for Israel following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas invasion. At the same time, Ukraine hoped to receive military aid from Israel, especially against ballistic missiles and drones, while the Jewish State has only provided civil aid and medical supplies. 

The Israeli government has not yet commented on the situation.