A Russian vessel was granted clearance by a UN inspection body to call at a Houthi-controlled port in Yemen after surreptitiously exporting grain from occupied Crimea, an investigation by Bellingcat and @lloydslist finds. bellingcat.com/news/2024/07/1…
The bulk carrier, Zafar, concealed its whereabouts in Crimea by switching off its Automated Identification System (AIS) before docking at Sevastopol in mid-May, but its presence there was captured on Planet satellite imagery. 
Switching off the AIS, also known as ‘going dark’, has been a common occurrence for ships visiting the Port of Sevastopol since western sanctions were introduced in 2015, and was previously reported on by Bellingcat. bellingcat.com/news/2023/08/2…
We were able to identify the vessel in satellite imagery by comparing the measurements and unique specifications of the Zafar such as the yellow cranes and its distinct chimney and bridge.
After setting sail from Sevastopol, Zafar switched its AIS back on in the Black Sea. AIS tracked it all the way to Djibouti where it was also seen on satellite imagery between June 16 and June 22.
Vessels delivering grain and other goods to ports not controlled by the officially recognised government of Yemen have to dock in Djibouti in order to receive clearance from the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM) for Yemen.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs confirmed to Lloyd’s List that Zafar did indeed report to UNVIM for inspection and was cleared on June 21, with a certificate following on June 22, 2024.
It was then up to the Saudi-led EHOC to make the final decision to grant clearance to Zafar based on UNVIM’s inspection report.
OCHA declined to provide further information about Zafar including whether the port of loading was known to be Sevastopol at the time of clearance being approved and if the vessel was physically inspected.
After its port call in Djibouti, Zafar sailed to Saleef, in Yemen. It spent another few days anchored off the coast there before docking on June 30.
Satellite imagery from Saleef shows the ship’s compartments open and seemingly emptied. Trucks can be seen lined up alongside the vessel while at least one crane appears to be hovering over structures on the pier.
It was not immediately clear exactly where the grain carried by Zafar to Yemen was harvested, but some farmers in occupied eastern Ukraine have previously accused Russian forces of stealing grain that was subsequently exported.
Russia has been explicit about its goal to expand its grain exports - at the expense of Ukrainian grain exports - to win foreign influence and goodwill. Vladimir Putin stated in 2023 that Russia had “the capacity to replace Ukrainian grain, both commercially and as free aid to needy countries.” edition.cnn.com/2023/10/05/eco…
Bellingcat and @LloydsList reached out to the Russian government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ask about the shipment but did not receive a response before publication. The operator of Zafar also did not respond to our questions about the shipment.
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