Ukraine Seizes Mineral Fertilizers in Transit From Russia and Belarus
In a significant enforcement action, Ukrainian authorities reported the seizure of 170 freight wagons carrying mineral fertilizers that originated in Russia and Belarus. The capture was disclosed via Telegram by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and highlights ongoing efforts to curb illicit trade and enforce sanctions related to agricultural inputs.
Officials described the seized batch as a wholesale consignment of mineral fertilizers produced in Russia and Belarus. The total value of the confiscated property was estimated at about 100 million hryvnia, roughly 2.7 million US dollars, with the cargo weighing around 11.8 thousand tons. The two companies named in connection with the shipment were Uralkali and Belaruskali, both prominent producers in their respective countries.
The 170 wagons were located in Nikolaev at the Naval Specialized Port, a facility linked to the business activities of the Ukrainian oligarch Dmitry Firtash. Ukrainian authorities indicated that the containers contained foreign fertilizer products and were in transit through the country prior to February 24, indicating their movement amid broader regional regulatory actions.
According to the SBU, the seizure falls within criminal proceedings related to tax evasion. The agency stated that the seized goods would be transferred to the National Agency for the Detection, Search and Management of Assets from Corruption and Other Crimes, commonly known as ARMA, for custodianship and potential further actions. This transfer aligns with Ukraine’s broader program to supervise and recover assets tied to corruption and financial misdeeds.
Earlier, Ukrainian courts had already taken action against a separate portion of the same shipment, ordering the arrest of 41 wagons valued at more than 25 million hryvnia, or about 683,000 US dollars, which were owned by Russian companies. The cumulative actions reflect a sustained enforcement posture aimed at intercepting and restraining politically sensitive economic activity that crosses international lines and intersects with sanctions regimes.
Experts note that fertilizer supplies are a critical supply chain component for Ukrainian agriculture, and this case underscores how enforcement authorities are balancing the need to safeguard economic security with the realities of international trade. The involved parties and their assets remain under close scrutiny as part of ongoing investigations and administrative processes. The SBU has signaled its intent to continue monitoring freight movements that may implicate sanctioned entities and to leverage national asset recovery mechanisms when warranted by evidence and law.
As the situation develops, observers will be watching for additional court rulings, asset dispositions, and any potential implications for fertilizer availability in Ukraine and neighboring markets. This case serves as a clear reminder of the complex intersection between international trade, sanctions enforcement, and domestic tax compliance in the region, where political and economic currents often converge on transportation networks and logistics hubs. Attribution: Source: Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).