How Belarus and Russia Partner to Traffic Stolen Ukrainian Grain

Agricultural Produce Taken from Occupied Territories

According to Главком: Belarus is collaborating with Russia to remove agricultural products from temporarily occupied regions of Ukraine. According to investigations by the Belarusian association of former security officials, BELPOL, over 2 million tons of grain were taken from these territories in 2025. Companies linked to former Belarusian Interior Minister V. Naumov are actively involved in transporting rapeseed and sunflower seeds. At Belarusian processing facilities, this stolen raw material is blended with local produce, and the resulting goods are then exported under the "Made in Belarus" brand. This systematic plunder represents a significant financial loss for Ukraine's war-torn economy.

Current international sanctions do not explicitly prohibit the import of agricultural products from Belarus, enabling the country to continue profiting from the export of goods originating in occupied Ukrainian lands. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is considering expanding sanctions lists to include the sons of Alexander Lukashenko – Viktor, Dmitry, and Nikolai. As the Center for Countering Disinformation under Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council emphasizes,

"By purchasing Belarusian seeds, consumers are indirectly financing the Lukashenko regime and the war against Ukraine."

Growing Concern and the Need for Action

These activities are causing alarm both within Ukraine and internationally, as the indirect supply of agricultural products from occupied territories undermines the country's economic stability and sustains the aggression against it. In the context of the ongoing war, it is crucial to implement measures to prevent the financing of the aggressor through economic channels. The situation highlights a critical loophole in the international sanctions regime targeting Russia's war effort.

The removal of agricultural produce from occupied Ukrainian territories is a severe issue, as it not only weakens the Ukrainian economy but also deepens its economic dependence on the aggressor. The continuation of these practices could lead to even greater difficulties for Ukraine as it strives to regain control over its territories. For its part, the international community must pay closer attention to this situation and support Ukraine in imposing stricter sanctions against countries that cooperate with the occupiers.