Swedish court allows seizure of Russian ship with stolen Ukrainian grain

Key facts

• The Swedish Supreme Court affirmed a decision to seize and transfer the Russian vessel Caffa to Ukraine.
• The Caffa was allegedly transporting grain stolen from Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine.
• The vessel was intercepted by Swedish authorities in March and sailing under a Guinean flag.
• Ukraine claims Russia uses a 'shadow fleet' to evade sanctions and fund its war effort.
• This is the first time a foreign court has ordered the handover of a Russian ship linked to stolen Ukrainian grain.

The Swedish Supreme Court on August 5 upheld a lower court's decision to allow the seizure and transfer of the Russian shadow fleet vessel Caffa to Ukraine. The vessel, detained by Swedish authorities in the Baltic Sea in March, was allegedly carrying grain stolen from Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.

In June, a Swedish court had ruled the seizure lawful, a decision now affirmed by the Supreme Court. Ukrainian Prime Minister Andrii Sybiha hailed the ruling as a "landmark decision" and an "important precedent" for accountability. This marks the first instance of a foreign court ordering the handover of a Russian ship implicated in the transport of stolen Ukrainian grain.

Swedish police and coast guard intercepted the Caffa, which was sailing under a Guinean flag but deemed "stateless" and in violation of safety standards. Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Ukraine's sanctions chief, asserted that the Caffa had previously been involved in stealing grain from occupied Ukrainian regions, including a shipment from Sevastopol in July 2025.

Ukraine initiated an investigation and seizure order, alleging that Russia systematically seizes grain from occupied territories and exports it via networks tied to occupation authorities, violating international norms and destination country laws. Russia reportedly maintains a "shadow fleet" of aging, often uninsured vessels to circumvent sanctions, fund its war, and transport illicit goods. Ukraine and its partners have intensified pressure on this fleet, with the EU's 21st sanctions package allowing member states to sell seized commodities. Joint EU forces and individual countries have also intercepted and boarded suspected shadow fleet tankers.