Ukraine Sanctions 13 Vessels, 39 Entities Over Stolen Grain Exports

Ukraine imposed new sanctions on 13 cargo vessels, 11 Russian nationals and 28 companies involved in illegally exporting looted Ukrainian grain from occupied territories.President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree on Friday, Aug. 14, putting into effect a decision made by the National Security and Defense Council.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.“The illegal export of Ukrainian grain from temporarily occupied territories must have consequences for everyone involved – from companies and owners to captains and vessels,” said Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the president’s commissioner for sanctions policy.“We expect that our international partners will not allow it to enter their markets,” he added.Vessels sanctioned across four flagsAmong the sanctioned cargo vessels, eight were sailing under the Russian flag, three under the Panamanian flag, and the two remaining sailed under the flags of Belize and Saint Kitts and Nevis, according to the presidential website.All of the ships are accused of involvement in the illegal export of Ukrainian grain, while the sanctions also extend to the vessels’ owners, captains and the companies engaged in transporting the product.Ukraine to share information with partnersUkraine will provide all necessary information to its partners to help synchronize the sanctions across international jurisdictions, according to the presidential website.Zelensky ties sanctions to broader pressure campaignZelensky presented the newly adopted grain sanctions as part of a wider strategy of pressuring Russia toward the negotiating table. Other Topics of Interest ‘We’ll Warm Ourselves With the Fire of Russian Oil Refineries’: Ukraine Hits Back at Russia Ukraine’s Armed Forces responded to a Russian post hinting at winter strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with a warning about Russian oil refineries. He pointed to decisions made over the past year that he said allowed Ukraine to shift toward a more technologically driven defense this winter and spring.“In effect, we have worked to block the Russian south, and we are expanding this strategic operation – expanding it quite justifiably – in response to Russian strikes on our ports and our cities,” Zelensky said.Sanctions targeting Russian oil refineries, alongside the strikes on Russian military logistics, including Ukraine’s operations in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, are all aimed at limiting Russia’s capacity to sustain its war effort.“We are preparing new sanctions against Russia’s military industry, financial chains, and intermediaries,” Zelensky said, signaling further measures.The move adds to the EU’s 21st sanctions package, adopted on July 23, which included the “largest batch of individual listings of the last four years” of the war – totaling 218 listings, consisting of 48 individuals and 170 entities, according to the EU Council.Sanctions follow latest Novorossiysk naval strikeOn Wednesday, Aug. 12, The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) reported that four Russian warships sustained damage during an overnight operation at the Novorossiysk naval base.According to preliminary data, damage of varying degrees was caused to two Project 11356 frigates, “Admiral Makarov” and “Admiral Essen”, as well as the Project 21631 small missile ship “Buyan-M” and the Project 22160 patrol ship “Vasily Bykov.”Zelensky confirmed that Ukraine used 15 domestically produced missile, aerial-drone, and naval-drone systems in a coordinated strike, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency in the Black Sea port city.“For the first time in a single operation, Palianytsia, Peklo, Bars, and Long Neptune worked in concert,” Zelensky wrote.The strike package also included the Mich, Fire Point, Ramzay, Sichen, Trust, Khariok, Bober, Liutyi, and Dovbush aerial drones, as well as Sargan and Mamai unmanned surface vessels.On Thursday, Aug. 13, Ukraine proposed a mutual halt to attacks on civilian ships and ports after striking Novorossiysk, as Russian attacks drive Ukrainian grain exports down 76%.Russia rejected the temporary Black Sea ceasefire proposal on Friday. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.