The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has raised official charges against a high-ranking Russian government official, Dmitry Patrushev, for systematically committing war crimes related to the illegal export of grain crops.
The investigation revealed a large-scale criminal scheme in which occupation forces transported over 4 million tons of agricultural products from temporarily controlled territories of Ukraine. The total value of illegally exported grain crops amounts to an impressive 23 billion hryvnias.
Patrushev, who previously held the position of Minister of Agriculture, used his official position to organize a large-scale smuggling operation. The criminal activity covers the occupied regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.
An interesting detail is the family connection – Dmitry is the son of Nikolai Patrushev, one of the most influential political players in modern Russia. Nikolai Patrushev, known as the "gray cardinal" of the Kremlin, has long-standing experience in power structures, including as director of the FSB and secretary of the Security Council.
The mechanism for illegal export includes the use of the so-called "shadow fleet," which transports stolen products to markets in the Middle East and North Africa. Only in 2023, over 2 million tons of grain passed through the occupied Crimean Peninsula.
Ukrainian law enforcement agencies are bringing charges under Article 438 of the Criminal Code, which deals with the plundering of national values and violation of military laws. The prescribed punishment ranges from eight to twelve years of imprisonment.
This case is not isolated – earlier, similar charges were brought against Vladimir Saldo for stealing about 3 thousand tons of grain from the Kherson region.
Expert analyses indicate that the damages from stolen and destroyed Ukrainian grain are measured in billions of dollars. The investigation, which began in 2022, continues to identify responsible persons from the political and administrative leadership of the Russian Federation.
Since Patrushev is currently located in the territory of Russia, law enforcement agencies are taking comprehensive actions to bring him to justice.