Russians carry Ukrainian grain to Yemeni Houthis

Russia supplies Ukrainian grain to the Houthis, who control most of Yemen.

This is evidenced by the results of a study by Bellingcat and Lloyd’s List.

Investigators drew attention to a ship called Zafar, which was loaded with grain in occupied Sevastopol in early October. In mid-November, the vessel arrived at the port of Al-Salif in western Yemen, making a stop in Djibouti, on the other side of the Red Sea.

It is noted that all ships delivering goods to Houthi-controlled ports must stop in Djibouti for control by the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM). However, Zafar managed to pass this inspection, which raises doubts about the effectiveness of the UN control mechanisms.

The 180-meter bulk carrier Zafar was captured on satellite images while loading grain in the port of Sevastopol on October 6. Its automated identification system (AIS) transponder was disabled, hiding its location from maritime observers and ship tracking sites.

After leaving Djibouti, the grain carrier sailed to Saleif in western Yemen, where satellite images showed the ship unloading on November 13.

Investigators note that the Zafar made an identical trip earlier in the year.

A spokesperson for Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry expressed outrage that Zafar had sailed to Yemen from Crimea, although he did not comment on the role of UNVIM. The spokesperson added that Ukraine “continues to make every effort to expose Russia’s systematic and widespread theft of Ukrainian grain, as well as its illegal movement through the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and illegal activities in our closed seaports.”

Tags: Ukraine, Russia, Yemen, grain stolen