Timing of the launch of the laboratory that will identify the Ukrainian grain stolen by Russia has been announced

Ukraine is currently developing a loss register software product that will allow all business entities to record their losses from a full-scale invasion.

Taras Vysotsky, acting Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, told NV in an interview.

He noted that the court against Russia will need an evidence base. “So now all that needs to be done is to record it. We need to contact the State Emergency Service, the police, record the losses, and assess them.

“We have no doubt that the aggressor will challenge everything. In order for everything to be legally recorded, we need to launch this register. And then take the next steps,” he added, noting that there is no quick fix, it will take years.

Taras Vysotsky recalled that back in 2022, using satellite images, Ukraine showed that Russia was selling obviously stolen grain on the international market through international channels, communicated with the end consumer, and asked them to refuse and not buy it.

“But in any case, such evidence is not enough based on satellite images alone. Because Russia also grows a lot of grain. So only with the help of a very high-precision analysis, comparison of grain samples, even of the same variety, can we prove (the place of origin of the crop – Ed.). There are specifics of the region and soil that can confirm that this strain can only come from Kherson or Zaporizhzhia, etc. Now we have an idea with the British to launch this laboratory analysis. For this purpose, we have been developing a comparative base. We provided samples that we have available from these regions. Then we can take a sample from vessel X and prove that yes, it is our grain,” explained Vysotsky.

According to him, the ministry is working to get this laboratory up and running in August-September.

“This is the evidence base on which these losses can be recorded in the aforementioned register,” he concluded.

Tags: Ukraine, Russia, war