Israel rejects Ukraine's claim that Russian shadow fleet vessel docked in Haifa

Ukraine alleges the vessel unloaded wheat taken from occupied territories in Haifa, while Israel says ship had not entered the port.

Rina Bassist

Apr 28, 2026

Responding to Ukrainian accusations, on Tuesday, Israel denied that it had allowed a ship carrying stolen grain from Russian-occupied territory to enter its ports as a dispute between the two countries escalated.

Ukrainian officials and an open-source monitoring group claimed that the Russian vessel ABINSK had transported grain taken from occupied Ukrainian territory and unloaded it at Israel’s port of Haifa between April 12 and April 14. 

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the ship had not entered the port and that Kyiv had not formally requested legal assistance or provided evidence. Ukraine maintains that it raised concerns in advance with Israeli authorities and summoned Israel’s ambassador, and was assured that the matter would be addressed.

“The director general of our ministry spoke earlier today with the Israeli Tax Authority, which has begun examining the matter,” Saar said, adding that Kyiv had not submitted a formal request for legal assistance or provided evidence for its claims, made on X. He expressed........

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