Tykhyi told reporters during an online briefing that “it was not just two ships. There were more. I cannot give an exact number now, but several ships.” Interfax-Ukraine reported his remarks.
Ukraine notified Israel about each of the vessels, Tykhyi said. Hromadske broadcaster reported that he added the shipments were not limited to Israel; similar cargoes reached Turkey, Egypt, Algeria, and other countries.
“The aggressor state is using not only a shadow oil fleet but also a shadow grain fleet,” Tykhyi said, adding that Ukraine will work to counter that fleet.
Earlier the same day, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry handed a protest note to Israel’s ambassador after repeatedly receiving shipments that were taken illegally from occupied territory. Tykhyi said Israel ignored Ukraine’s information about the shipments’ origins and requests for legal assistance.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced sanctions against
those involved in transporting stolen grain to Israel.