Israel stops Russian grain ship over Ukrainian grain theft row

Israeli import company Zenziper has stopped the unloading of a cargo ship suspected of carrying grain stolen from Russia from the occupied territories of Ukraine, Israeli media reported.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry welcomed the development, saying it shows that Kiev's legal and diplomatic efforts are bearing fruit.

"This is also a clear signal to all ships, captains, operators, insurers and governments: do not buy stolen Ukrainian grain. Do not be part of this crime," Andrii Sybiha said in X.

According to reports, the company said that "in light of the circumstances" it had been forced to delay unloading the cargo and that the supplier would have to find an alternative destination for the goods.

"The Russian supplier of the grain cargo will have to find another destination to unload it," Zenziper reportedly said, reports the Telegraph.

Maritime traffic monitoring data shows that the Panormitis is leaving the port of Haifa at around 9 knots, almost full speed. Its final destination is currently unknown.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said Kiev would "continue to track this particular ship and warn against any operations involving it."

The Panamanian-flagged Panormitis entered Haifa Bay over the weekend.

According to Ukrainian officials, the bulk carrier is carrying more than 6,200 tons of wheat and 19,000 tons of barley.

She had been waiting to dock and unload in Haifa, as diplomatic tensions between Ukraine and Israel escalated significantly in recent days.

Ukraine announced on Thursday that it had formally asked Israel to seize a cargo ship carrying what Kiev calls stolen Ukrainian grain, escalating a diplomatic dispute between the two countries after Israeli authorities allowed an earlier ship with a similar cargo to unload unopposed at the port of Haifa.

Israeli officials denied having received sufficient evidence from Ukraine and accused Kiev of engaging in "X diplomacy."