How a Haaretz investigation into stolen Ukrainian wheat triggered a diplomatic crisis

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May 1, 2026

Liza Rozovsky, diplomatic correspondent covering foreign policy, and Avi Scharf, national security editor expert in maritime investigations, discuss an investigation into stolen Ukrainian grain. They trace how a ship arrival revived a probe. They explain vessel-tracking methods, ship-to-ship transfers, and the diplomatic fallout that followed.

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INSIGHT

Ship-to-Ship Transfers Hide Grain Origins

Israel-imported grain sometimes arrived via ship-to-ship transfers at sea to hide origin.
Avi Scharf traced vessels that went dark in the Black Sea, loaded mid-sea near the Kerch Strait, then sailed to Israel without docking in Russian ports.

ANECDOTE

Tip Triggered Multiyear Satellite Investigation

Avi Scharf began a 2023 investigation after a tip listing about 120 deliveries, with roughly 30 destinations reportedly being Israel.
He used vessel-tracking and satellite imagery to follow ships that later showed patterns of turning off transponders and loading near occupied Ukrainian ports.

INSIGHT

Media Exposure Forced Importer To Drop Shipment

Publication of Haaretz's findings prompted an immediate commercial response from the Israeli importer named in the report.
After Haaretz identified Zenzipel as the buyer, the company canceled the shipment within 24 hours and the ship left Haifa Bay.

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A diplomatic crisis over Israeli import of stolen grain from occupied Ukraine exploded this week following the publication of a Haaretz investigation that documents Ukrainian allegations that Russian ships were bringing the wheat and barley to Israeli ports.

National Security and Cyber editor Avi Scharf and diplomatic correspondent Liza Rozovsky explain on the Haaretz Podcast how the investigation unfolded, the international fallout, its effect on Israel-Ukraine relations and the harsh war of words between the two countries.

The story began in mid-April with Ukraine’s announcement that “they had warned the Israeli authorities about a ship arriving with stolen Ukrainian grain, and that they had asked Israel to take necessary actions to seize the ship,” Scharf said. “To their dismay, Israel did not adhere to the warnings and let the ship unload and leave Israel.”

The incident led Scharf to revive an investigation into the import of stolen Ukrainian grain that he had begun in late 2023, but was put on hold after October 7 and the all-encompassing Gaza war.

His story, documenting the systematic importation of wheat, sparked strong reactions both from Ukraine and the European Union, which threatened sanctions against Israel if such imports continue.

Rozovsky noted that the Ukrainian reaction was “the most straightforward attack on Israeli policy than we’ve seen since the beginning of the war” between Russian and Ukraine.

After the story was published – and Haaretz revealed the name of the company importing the grain – the company announced that it was cancelling the purchase.

Zelenskyy Says Israel Broke Own Law by Buying Stolen Ukrainian Wheat From Russia, Vows Sanctions

EU Mulls Sanctions on Israelis Over Stolen Ukrainian Wheat Smuggled by Russia

Israeli Importer Drops Shipment of Allegedly Russian-stolen Ukrainian Grain

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