Turkey bans Russian ship, investigates Ukraine's allegations of stolen wheat

“Following the request, the ship, dubbed Jube Joly, was detained in Karasu”, a senior Reuters official said.

“The charges are being thoroughly investigated. It doesn't say who the wheat belongs to”.

On 3 July, Vasyl Bodnar, Ukraine's ambassador to Turkey, said Jubek Joly was banned by Turkish customs authorities.

Ukraine had urged Ankara to stop it, accusing Moscow of stealing wheat from territories that Russian forces have seized since the start of their occupation on 24 February. Kiev said the ship left Berdjansk, a Ukrainian port occupied by Russian forces.

The Kremlin has denied that Russia has stolen Ukrainian grain, Rel reports.

On June 30th, Evgeny Balitsky, head of Moscow's administration in Ukraine's Zaporizja region, said in Telegram that the ship had left the port of Berdjansk and was headed to “the friendly” countries.

He said the ship was loaded with 7,000 tonnes of wheat, but he did not specify which locations were considered <x0-cypheric” and did not give any details about the origin of wheat.
Bodnar said investigators will meet in Turkey on 4 July to determine the ship's fate and that Ukraine is demanding a return of wheat.

Ukraine has accused Russia of stealing its wheat during the invasion and blocking its ports to prevent wheat from leaving the country, which has helped in a global lack of food.

The plants are one of Ukraine's main industries. Exports reached $12.2 billion last year and made up about a fifth of the country's exports. Ukraine's Black Sea ports, including Berdjansk, treated about 6 million tons of cereals and other cultures each month before the war.