Russia’s plunder of agricultural land, equipment, and crops in occupied Ukraine is conducted systemically, involving a multi-layered network of over 140 individuals and entities, and at least 60 vessels, according to a new report by B4Ukraine Coalition members — the State Capture Accountability Project and the International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR).
While the theft of Ukrainian agricultural products has been widely reported, this report offers the first comprehensive look at the vast network enabling and profiting from the plunder, facilitated by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
Based on the authors’ legal assessment, the large-scale theft of grain constitutes the war crime of pillage. All those who are knowingly or recklessly involved bear some degree of criminal responsibility for this international crime. The report concludes with a set of concrete recommendations for the international community to respond accordingly:
• All persons, entities and vessels involved in the theft and subsequent export of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products should be sanctioned by Ukraine’s allies.
• The International Criminal Court Prosecutor should investigate these allegations with a view to bringing those most responsible to account.
• National authorities should prosecute all third country persons and entities knowingly or recklessly involved in the trade of stolen Ukrainian grain for complicity in the war crime of pillage.
• Proceeds from the sale of stolen Ukrainian grain or their equivalent should be confiscated under domestic asset recovery laws.
• Any confiscated proceeds from the sale of stolen Ukrainian grain should be used to compensate Ukrainian farmers who have lost their lands and property.
• Domestic customs authorities should require enhanced due diligence and certificates of origin for all grain imports from Russian-linked entities and vessels.