Ukraine has moved to prosecute the captain of a Russian-flagged bulk carrier accused of transporting Ukrainian grain from the occupied Crimean port of Sevastopol to Syria.
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) filed the case against Mykola Yelagin, 54, who served as captain of the *Matros Pozynich* between 2022 and 2024. Ukrainian investigators allege that Yelagin knowingly organized and supervised the loading and transportation of grain taken from territories occupied by Russia.
According to Ukrainian investigators, the case concerns at least two shipments carried by the 28,351-dwt bulk carrier. In November 2022, the vessel allegedly transported about 27,000 metric tons of wheat from the Donetsk region to Syria's Port of Latakia. A second shipment of approximately 27,300 tons was documented in January 2023.
Ukraine alleges that Yelagin was responsible for bringing the vessel into Sevastopol, overseeing the acceptance of the cargo and arranging its onward transportation. Investigators also accuse the vessel of presenting the grain as Russian in origin.
The case further alleges that the *Matros Pozynich* disabled its automatic identification system (AIS) on some voyages and transmitted route information that did not accurately reflect its movements.
The vessel's activities have continued to attract scrutiny. Ukrainian authorities say the bulk carrier loaded another cargo of approximately 27,500 tons of wheat at the Avlita grain terminal in Crimea in April 2025 before sailing toward Latakia. Ukrainian sources allege that AIS data indicated a different origin for the cargo.
The *Matros Pozynich*, IMO 9573816, was built in 2010 and operates under the Russian flag. Ukrainian authorities have identified the ship as being involved in the transportation of grain from occupied Ukrainian territory.
The vessel has also faced international sanctions. The European Union added the *Matros Pozynich* to its sanctions regime in December 2025, citing its alleged role in transporting stolen Ukrainian grain. Switzerland subsequently sanctioned the vessel in January 2026, while Canada added it to its sanctions measures in June 2026.
Ukraine's allegations form part of a broader effort to investigate vessels accused of transporting agricultural commodities from occupied Ukrainian territory through ports that Kyiv considers closed. Ukrainian authorities have previously pursued cases involving other ships alleged to have participated in similar operations.
The *Matros Pozynich* itself has been identified by Ukraine's sanctions database as a vessel associated with the transportation of Ukrainian grain from occupied territory. Ukrainian authorities also report that the vessel was placed under Ukrainian sanctions in November 2025.
The prosecution remains based on allegations by Ukrainian authorities, and the charges against the captain have yet to be adjudicated by a court.
*Image: Bulk carrier and grain terminal, illustrative image.*