Russia’s Grain Smuggling Fleet Continues Undeterred

Russia’s Grain Smuggling Fleet Continues Undeterred

An investigation by Bellingcat has identified yet another Russian-flagged bulk carrier, Irtysh (IMO: 9664976), operating in defiance of Western sanctions by exporting grain from occupied Crimea to Houthi-controlled Yemen.  Following the same pattern of deceptive methods used by other vessels involved in what Ukraine describes as “grain theft,” Irtysh disabled its location tracking en route to and from the Port of Sevastopol. The vessel also made…