An investigation by Bellingcat has recognized one more Russian-flagged bulk service, Irtysh (IMO: 9664976), working in defiance of Western sanctions by exporting grain from occupied Crimea to Houthi-controlled Yemen.
Following the identical sample of misleading strategies utilized by different vessels concerned in what Ukraine describes as “grain theft,” Irtysh disabled its location monitoring en path to and from the Port of Sevastopol. The vessel additionally made a compulsory cease in Djibouti for inspection by the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM) for Yemen earlier than crusing on to the Port of Saleef, Yemen.
Nearly all of UN member states have repeatedly voted towards Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. UNVIM informed Bellingcat: “As a UN mandated physique UNVIM doesn’t have the authority to dam shipments based mostly on unilateral nationwide or regional sanctions.” They added: “The UNVIM mandate is proscribed to verifying compliance with the UN Safety Council resolutions associated to Yemen.”
Nonetheless, consultants have beforehand highlighted to Bellingcat that even with the restrictions of that remit the truth that grain shipments from occupied Ukrainian territories are passing via UN inspection mechanism creates a clumsy scenario.
By combining satellite tv for pc evaluation and Automated Identification System (AIS) knowledge, Bellingcat has mapped Irtysh’s journey. In the course of the investigation, two extra vessels had been additionally recognized with their monitoring programs disabled whereas loading grain in Sevastopol: Matros Pozynich (IMO: 9573816) and Zafar (IMO: 9720263).
Bosphorus Strait
With its purple paint totally seen, the vessel seemed to be carrying little or no cargo.
Credit score: Yörük Işık
Black Sea
Irtysh went darkish – an AIS hole lasting two weeks started.
Occupied Crimea: Port of Sevastopol
Imagery confirmed Irtysh docked with its hatches open at Berth 21 of the Avlita grain terminal.
Credit score: 2025 Vantor
Black Sea
Returning to Turkish waters, Irtysh turned its AIS again on as required for transiting the Bosphorus.
Bosphorus Strait
With no purple paint seen and the Plimsoll line close to most draft, the vessel appeared totally laden.
Credit score: Yörük Işık
Egypt: Suez Canal
Irtysh transited the man-made waterway connecting the Mediterranean to the Pink Sea.
Credit score:
Planet Labs PBC
Port of Djibouti: UNVIM Inspection
All cargo vessels should be inspected in Djibouti earlier than continuing to Houthi-controlled ports. AIS knowledge confirmed Irtysh anchored off Djibouti for six days.
Credit score:
Planet Labs PBC
Houthi-controlled Yemen: Port of Saleef
Irtysh docked on the Port of Saleef for ten days, based on imagery and AIS knowledge.
Credit score:
Planet Labs PBC
Bosphorus Strait
Returning by way of the Suez Canal, Irtysh transited the Bosphorus with its purple paint totally seen, thus was not closely laden.
Credit score: Yörük Işık
Black Sea
One other AIS blackout, echoing its outbound path.
Occupied Crimea: Port of Sevastopol
Irtysh returned to Berth 21 of the Avlita grain terminal. As of the newest obtainable imagery, the vessel stays in Sevastopol.
Credit score:
Planet Labs PBC
Simply over a month after Irtysh was first seen loading grain on the Port of Sevastopol, Bellingcat recognized one other Russian vessel, Matros Pozynich, on the identical berth. Beforehand recognized by CNN in 2022 for exporting grain from occupied Ukraine, and by Bellingcat the next yr, the vessel was docked on the Avlita grain terminal on Sept. 20.
Two days later, Matros Pozynich switched its AIS again on earlier than crusing via the Bosphorus Strait, simply as Irtysh had. With its hull sitting low within the water, the vessel was photographed passing via Turkish waters seemingly totally laden.
After calling at Djibouti, seemingly for inspection by UNVIM, AIS knowledge reveals the majority service departing for Saleef, Yemen, on Oct. 8. At time of publication, Matros Pozynich stays in anchorage off the Port of Saleef, Yemen.
Absolutely Laden in Bosphorus Strait
Sept. 23, 2025
Credit score: Yörük Işık
A 3rd vessel, additionally beforehand implicated for smuggling grain, Zafar, was captured by satellite tv for pc imagery with its AIS turned off on the Port of Sevastopol from Sept. 23.
On the time of publication, Zafar had not sailed to Yemen by way of Djibouti. As a substitute, it was anchored off the Port of Alexandria, Egypt – one other identified location for offloading grain from occupied Ukraine, based on OCCRP reporting.
“Grain Theft”
Ukraine has repeatedly tried to dissuade nations from buying shipments loaded with what it describes as stolen grain from occupied areas.
The Port of Sevastopol and the Avlita grain terminal stay below European, UK and US sanctions. Whereas no UN sanctions particularly goal the port, a majority of UN member states have handed resolutions condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and of its occupation of Crimea since 2024.
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Each Irtysh and Matros Pozynich delivered grain to the Houti-controlled Port of Saleef by way of Djibouti – the UNVIM inspection level for Yemen. After ten years of battle, the UNHCR reviews that tens of 1000’s of individuals in Yemen reside in famine-like situations, with an extra 5 million folks experiencing meals insecurity.
UNVIM confirmed to Bellingcat that the Irtysh was inspected “in keeping with UNVIM operational protocols” on Sept. 7 and cleared by the Saudi-led coalition Evacuation and Humanitarian Operations Cell (EHOC) – a physique totally separate from the UN – on Sept. 8.
Requested whether or not UNVIM was conscious the vessel had picked up grain from a port below Western sanctions, the company replied: “The UNVIM mandate is proscribed to verifying compliance with the UN Safety Council resolutions associated to Yemen. Unilateral nationwide sanctions or measures past that scope are exterior the UNVIM mandate.”
Neither the Russian authorities nor its international ministry responded to requests for remark.
Yörük Işık, Bridget Diakun, Peter Barth, Galen Reich, Claire Press and Merel Zoet contributed to this report.
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