Russia sold 2 million tons of Ukrainian grain as its own in 2025—intelligence

Russia exported over 2 million tons of grain grown on occupied Ukrainian territories in 2025, disguising it as Russian produce, the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine reports.

The bulk of the stolen grain—approximately 1.4 million tons—was exported in the second half of 2025, according to the intelligence service.

"Over 2 million tons of grain crops grown on occupied territories of our state were exported in 2025. The lion's share falls on the second half of the year—about 1.4 million tons were shipped," the Foreign Intelligence Service reported.

Russia has expanded the geography of its illegal agricultural exports. Egypt and Bangladesh received 53.6% of total volumes—490,000 tons and 250,000 tons respectively. Deliveries to Lebanon increased to 78,100 tons, to Türkiye to 96,700 tons, while exports to Syria resumed at 94,400 tons.

The stolen agricultural products also reached Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam, with smaller volumes going to certain Balkan countries.

To circumvent sanctions, Russia uses ship-to-ship operations at the roadstead transshipment area of Kavkaz port, employing accumulator vessels, the intelligence service reports. The occupiers utilize the capacities of occupied ports in the Azov and Black Seas, primarily the Sevastopol seaport.

"This allows Russia to conceal the real origin of the grain, and the carrier to avoid entering the ports of temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and reduce the risks of accusations of illegal trade," the Foreign Intelligence Service explained.

This scheme is employed when supplying grain to Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, and Vietnam, according to the intelligence service.