Sweden Upholds Seizure of Russian-Flagged Ship Suspected of Smuggling Ukrainian Grain
The Supreme Court of Sweden has rejected an appeal by the ship’s operator, confirming two previous judgments that ordered the seizure and transfer to Ukraine of a vessel suspected of smuggling Ukrainian grain.
The Caffa, a 96-meter-long ship, departed from Casablanca in Morocco on February 24 and was headed for St. Petersburg in Russia when Swedish police boarded it on March 6 off the coast of Trelleborg in southern Sweden.
Pursuit of Russian-Flagged Ship
The ship was seized after Ukraine filed a request for legal assistance, as part of an ongoing investigation into the vessel’s activities. The Caffa is listed as a sanctioned entity by Ukraine and was operating under a false Guinean flag. Ten of the 11 crew members were Russian.
Ship’s History
The Caffa has been linked to previous grain smuggling operations in Ukrainian-occupied territories, including a July 2025 incident where it transported a cargo from the port of Sevastopol in Crimea to Tartus in Syria.
Ukraine Welcomes Decision
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sîbiga welcomed the Swedish court’s decision, stating that it sets an important precedent for combating the Russian shadow fleet and its ability to generate revenue for financing war efforts.
“The seizure of this ship is a significant step forward in our efforts to combat the Russian shadow fleet and its capacity to generate income for financing war,” he tweeted. “We will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt their operations and hold them accountable.”
Sweden‘s Role
The Swedish government has been actively involved in combating the Russian shadow fleet, with Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin stating that the ship was suspected of not being properly insured.
“The owner of the ship is difficult to identify, and the vessel is suspected of not being adequately insured,” he said. “This highlights the need for increased vigilance and cooperation between countries to combat these types of operations.”
Implications
The seizure of the Caffa has significant implications for Ukraine‘s efforts to combat grain smuggling and disrupt Russian-backed operations in occupied territories. The decision also underscores Sweden‘s commitment to upholding international law and combating illegal activities at sea.
Next Steps
As the ship is transferred to Ukraine, authorities will begin an investigation into its activities and connections to other vessels suspected of being involved in grain smuggling. The case highlights the importance of international cooperation and coordination in combatting these types of operations.
Original Article: Suedia va preda Ucrainei o navă din flota fantomă rusă (tribunal) — Agerpres (Romanian) | View English Translation