A dispute erupted between Ukraine and Israel over Russian cargo ships delivering grain from occupied Ukrainian territories to the Israeli port of Haifa.
The Russian cargo ship Abinsk reportedly arrived at Haifa carrying 43,765.18 tons of wheat seized from Ukrainian lands under Russian control, according to Ukrainian officials and the SeaKrime project [1]. Ukraine said it requested international legal assistance from Israel on April 15 related to this shipment, after diplomatic talks in late March failed to resolve the matter [1].
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha sharply criticized Israel’s response. He said, "It is difficult to understand Israel's lack of appropriate response to Ukraine's legitimate request regarding the previous vessel that delivered stolen goods to Haifa" [1]. He added that as another ship carrying stolen grain docked in Haifa, Ukraine "once again warn[ed] Israel against accepting the stolen grain and harming our relations" [1].
Israel rejected the accusation without seeing evidence. Foreign Ministry official Gideon Saar said, "Evidence substantiating the allegations have yet to be provided" and criticized Ukraine for publicizing the claims without formally requesting legal aid earlier. Saar said, "You did not even submit a request for legal assistance before turning to the media and social networks" and stressed "Diplomatic relations, especially between friendly nations, are not conducted on Twitter or in the media" [1].
Ukraine says the grain was stolen from territories occupied by Russia. Israel has promised to investigate the shipments according to its laws but has not confirmed any wrongdoing [1]. The dispute reflects tensions over alleged illicit commodity flows from occupied Ukrainian regions.
Two weeks after the Abinsk docked on April 12, Sybiha said another similar vessel carrying grain from occupied territories arrived in Israel, prompting Israel’s Foreign Ministry to summon the Israeli ambassador in Kyiv amid the controversy [1].
The issue remains formally unresolved as Ukraine pursues legal assistance and Israel reviews the claims.