Working Conditions Aboard the Matros-Pozynich

The bulk carrier 'Mikhail Nenashev' has been identified among a fleet of approximately 10 vessels involved in the controversial grain transport operations from occupied regions of Ukraine. Russian vessels are increasingly capitalizing on the harvesting from Crimea and other occupied territories, with a significant portion of this grain, primarily sourced from Mariupol, Berdiansk, and the Azov Sea area, making its way to Iran. Interestingly, while this grain is subject to sanctions imposed by Western nations, Russian grain operates outside these restrictions. In some operations, the grain is sent directly to Iran; however, there are instances where it is offloaded onto smaller craft before being transferred to larger bulk carriers through ship-to-ship transshipment in the Kerch Strait, a strategic area between Crimea, Ukraine, and Russia. This process highlights how sanctions can sometimes be circumvented. In the background of ongoing conflicts, Russian airstrikes target key grain terminals in Izmail and Neri, which are crucial for Ukrainian grain exports, whereas Ukrainian grain is reportedly being smuggled from locations such as Sevastopol. Recently, 'Mikhail Nenashev' was monitored while en route to the Russian port of Kavkaz, with its AIS signal vanishing near an anchorage south of Crimea. Shortly thereafter, a satellite image revealed a vessel matching its description at the Avlita terminal in Odesa. The ship was later observed navigating through the Bosphorus and was documented again in Bandar Khomeni, Iran, with its hatches open. There have been instances where AIS signals from such carriers have gone dark north of Cyprus, only to reappear weeks later while navigating the northern Black Sea. Alongside 'Mikhail Nenashev', other bulk carriers like the 'Matros Shevchenko', 'Matros Koshka', and 'Matros Pozynich' are also frequently engaged in these grain shipments, with final destinations including Syria and Iran. Ships have previously transported grain to Turkey within the first year of the Putin-led conflict, reflecting an evolving supply chain. Initially, these transports originated mainly from Sevastopol, but recent findings show vessels now also departing from the ports of Feodosia, Mariupol, Berdjansk, and Kerch. Moreover, ships from Syria have been observed frequently at grain terminals in Sevastopol, reinforcing the connections between the regions involved in these operations.

In an effort to address the ongoing issue of grain theft from territories under Russian occupation, Ukraine has reached out to Turkey for assistance in investigating three Russian-flagged bulk carriers: 'Mikhail Nenashev', 'Matros Pozynich', and 'Matros Koshka'. This appeal was formalized in a letter from Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office dated June 13, 2022, wherein they requested the Turkish Ministry of Justice to conduct a thorough investigation into the vessels suspected of transporting grain alleged to have been stolen from Ukrainian regions, such as Kherson. The correspondence indicates that these ships departed from Crimea's prominent grain terminal in Sevastopol during April and May. Ukraine has urged Turkish authorities to secure documentation regarding their cargo and the vessels' arrival at ports within Turkey. Notably, these ships are owned by a subsidiary of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, a Russian state-owned company currently under Western sanctions. Should evidence be uncovered confirming that the United Shipbuilding Corporation facilitated the transport of grain from recently seized Ukrainian territories, it would contribute to mounting proof of the involvement of Russian state-owned entities in the export of what Kyiv contends to be pilfered goods. Since the onset of the Russian invasion in February, Ukraine has publicly accused Moscow of seizing grain, a claim that Russian officials have consistently rejected.

The bulk carrier m/v 'Matros Koshka', implicated by Ukraine in the transportation of allegedly stolen grain, re-emerged on the Automatic Identification System (AIS) on June 9, 2022, after a concerning nine-day silence that began on May 30. AIS data indicated that during this blackout period, the vessel likely deviated to an undisclosed port to unload its cargo, with strong suspicions pointing towards a Syrian destination. Additionally, historical records revealed further evidence supporting Ukrainian claims about this vessel and others, including the m/v 'Matros Poznych', engaging in dubious maritime activities. 'Matros Poznych' reportedly undertook operations in Sevastopol, experiencing a significant gap in its Black Sea track, remaining off the radar from May 18 to May 24, raising red flags about its cargo origins.