The ZAID vessel has loaded 35,800 tonnes of wheat in Sevastopol and is heading to the Turkish port of Iskenderun. During the voyage, the vessel switched off its AIS transponder and used spoofing to conceal its location.
Basic context
The Russian vessel ZAID loaded 35,800 tonnes of wheat in Sevastopol at berth 21 from 10 to 19 May. After that, the vessel sailed to the port of Kavkaz to issue fake documents for the cargo.
Journalist of the SeaKrime project of the Peacemaker Centre“ Kateryna Yaresko reported that during the voyage, ZAID systematically switched off the AIS transponder and used spoofing to hide the vessel's real location. In particular, from 7 to 20 May, the transponder signal was switched off, and from 20 to 22 May, the system showed a false location near Kerch.
Flights and sanctions
Since 2023, the ZAID vessel has been operating exclusively for grain transport from occupied Sevastopol to the ports of Iran, Syria, Egypt and Turkey. In April 2026, the vessel tried to deliver grain to Egypt, but after talks between the presidents of Ukraine and Egypt, it left the Alexandria area and changed course to the Turkish port of Iskenderun.
According to the portal War & Sanctions According to the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the ZAID vessel on 25 November 2025. The European Union joined the sanctions on 19 December 2025, and Switzerland on 13 January 2026.
Technical measures to conceal cargo
The use of AIS transponder spoofing allows a vessel to hide its true location from monitoring systems. This creates difficulties for monitoring the movement of cargo exported from the occupied territories.
This practice demonstrates the systematic nature of grain shipments from Crimea, despite international sanctions. The ZAID vessel has repeatedly evaded control, making it difficult to track its voyages and cargo.
Impact on international trade and security
Delivery of grain from the occupied Crimea The shipment of ZAID cargo to the Middle East and North Africa is important for regional grain markets and may affect the geopolitical situation.
The threat of sanctions circumvention and illegal exports of agricultural products from the occupied territories increases challenges for international security and the maintenance of legitimacy in trade relations. The sanctions imposed by Ukraine, the EU and Switzerland are designed to complicate such operations, but their effectiveness is limited due to the techniques used to conceal the vessel.
