Ukraine seeks to punish Bangladesh with EU sanctions for allegedly importing over 150,000 tonnes of wheat stolen from territories under Russian occupation, potentially funneling millions into Moscow’s war chest.
Key Takeaways
- Ukraine is preparing to request EU sanctions against Bangladeshi entities for allegedly importing grain stolen from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories.
- Over 150,000 tonnes of wheat were reportedly shipped from Russia’s Kavkaz port to Bangladesh, believed to contain grain looted from Ukrainian regions.
- Bangladesh has denied the accusations, claiming they have banned grain deliveries originating from occupied Ukrainian territory.
- Ukrainian officials claim Russian entities deliberately mix stolen Ukrainian grain with Russian wheat to obscure its origins before export.
- Ukraine’s agricultural sector has suffered approximately $80 billion in losses since Russia’s invasion.
Ukraine Takes Action Against Alleged Grain Theft
Ukraine is escalating its response to what it describes as the illegal trafficking of its agricultural resources by seeking European Union sanctions against Bangladesh. According to Ukrainian officials, Bangladesh has ignored diplomatic appeals to reject shipments of grain stolen from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. The Ukrainian Embassy in New Delhi sent formal letters to Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry warning about these shipments, but claims their concerns went unanswered, prompting this more severe approach through the EU sanctions mechanism.
“Ukraine is preparing to request European Union sanctions against Bangladeshi entities over importing wheat stolen from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, Ukraine’s ambassador to India told Reuters,” said Ukraine’s ambassador to India.
Ukrainian Ambassador to India Oleksandr Polishchuk has taken a firm stance on the issue, making it clear that Ukraine considers these imports criminal activity that must be addressed. Ukrainian intelligence reports suggest that Russian entities have been systematically looting Ukrainian grain since the 2014 occupation of Crimea, with the practice dramatically expanding after President Putin’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The port of Mariupol, now under Russian control, has become a major hub for exporting millions of tons of allegedly stolen Ukrainian grain.
🚢🌾 Ukraine Presses EU to Sanction Bangladesh Over 'Stolen Grain' Imports
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Kyiv alleges Dhaka imported wheat mixed with grain from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, despite repeated warnings.
Ukraine plans to escalate the issue with… pic.twitter.com/EgyrqQrjLX
— PiQ (@PiQSuite) June 27, 2025
Bangladesh Denies Wrongdoing Amid Growing Tensions
Bangladesh has categorically rejected Ukraine’s accusations, with its Food Ministry stating they have explicitly banned grain imports originating from occupied Ukrainian territories. However, Ukrainian officials maintain that over 150,000 tonnes of wheat were shipped from the Russian port of Kavkaz to Bangladesh, mixed with grain from occupied Ukrainian regions. This mixing strategy allegedly allows Russia to obscure the origins of stolen grain, making it difficult for importing countries to verify its source and potentially providing plausible deniability for nations like Bangladesh.
“It’s a crime. We will share our investigation with our European Union colleagues, and we will kindly ask them to take the appropriate measures,” said Oleksandr Polishchuk.
Trade data shows Bangladesh as a significant buyer of Russian wheat, though grain from Russian-controlled Ukrainian territories reportedly comprises only a small percentage of Russia’s total harvest. Nevertheless, Ukraine views any purchase of this grain as directly funding Russia’s occupation forces and has warned Bangladesh that both importing companies and government officials could face sanctions for their involvement. This tough stance reflects Ukraine’s determination to protect its agricultural sector, which has suffered catastrophic losses yet remains a crucial source of export income.
Challenges in Enforcement and Verification
The EU, UK, and United States have already sanctioned numerous Russian vessels involved in oil and weapons trade, but those delivering grain to Bangladesh have so far escaped similar restrictions. European officials have stated that proven involvement in transporting stolen Ukrainian grain could trigger future sanctions, suggesting Ukraine’s appeal may find receptive ears in Brussels. However, verifying the origin of grain presents significant technical challenges once it has been loaded onto ships, as grain lacks unique identifying features that would allow for definitive tracing.
“Bangladesh’s Food Ministry, in comments to Reuters, denied the imports, saying that they banned grain deliveries originating from occupied Ukrainian territory,” stated Bangladesh’s Food Ministry.
This reality creates a complex enforcement environment where accusations are difficult to prove conclusively. Russian grain traders have noted this challenge, effectively highlighting how the commodity’s fungible nature provides cover for potentially illicit shipments. For Ukraine, with its agricultural sector suffering losses estimated at $80 billion due to the invasion, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Each shipment of allegedly stolen grain represents not just an economic loss but a direct contribution to the enemy forces occupying Ukrainian territory and threatening its sovereignty.
