Working Conditions Aboard the Irtysh

The bulk carrier 'Irtysh', known for its controversial activities, is once again under scrutiny for its involvement in the transport of stolen Ukrainian grain. The vessel is currently en route from Crimea to Djibouti, with an estimated time of arrival set for February 12, 2026. On January 30, 2026, the 'Irtysh' made an unauthorized entry into the temporarily occupied port of Sevastopol, where it loaded a staggering 32,850 tons of grain at the Avlita grain terminal, a facility frequently utilized by Russian forces for operations involving pilfered Ukrainian wheat. Notably, the ship's AIS (Automatic Identification System) transmissions only began to be transmitted on February 1, 2026, coinciding with its passage through the Bosphorus Strait, raising further suspicions regarding its activities.