According to the Ukrainian embassy in Lebanon, a ship with “stolen” Ukrainian grain has arrived in Syria
A new Russian ship carrying Ukrainian grain has arrived in Syria, an ally of Moscow, the Ukrainian embassy in Lebanon said on Thursday. “According to our information, the SV KONSTANTIN landed in Syria,” reported the Ukrainian embassy to Agence France-Presse in Beirut, “with grain stolen on board and transported illegally by the Russian occupying forces.” This cargo was originally destined for the Lebanese port of Tripoli, the embassy added.
A satellite image released by Planet Labs PBC shows the cargo ship SV Konstantin, the red boat on the left, approaching the port of Tartous, Syria, on August 17, 2022. PLANET LABS PBC/AP
Ukraine, which regularly accuses Russia of ransacking and looting its grain stores, did not specify which port the cargo ship docked at. However, the Associated Press showed, thanks to satellite images, that he had arrived at the port of Tartous.
Another ship, the Razoni, unloaded its cargo on Thursday at the Syrian port of Tartous, which is operated by a Russian company, according to Samir Madani, co-founder of the TankerTrackers.com website. The Razoni, flying the Sierra Leone flag, carried the first cargo of grain allowed to leave Ukraine thanks to the agreement between the United Nations and Turkey that allowed the lifting of the Russian blockade. He, too, should go to Lebanon before being diverted to Tartous this week with his 26,000 tons of corn, Madani said on Twitter. Satellite images showed it unloading its cargo.
In early August, a Syrian ship, the Laodicea, was briefly detained in Lebanon after it was said to be transporting stolen Ukrainian grain. He was eventually able to return to Syria, much to the displeasure of Ukraine, which said it was “disappointed” by the decision.
