Ukraine’s law enforcement authorities have seized 170 railcars loaded with potash and fertilizers from Russia’s Uralkali PJSC and Belarus’ OJSC Belaruskali worth about $2.7 million, Russia’s Prime Business News reported, citing a Feb. 6 statement by the Security Service of Ukraine.
The volume of the seized potash and fertilizers amounted to 11,800 mt, and the arrest was made under the case of tax avoidance, according to the report, citing the Security Service statement.
According to an Interfax report, citing the investigation, the railcars arrived in Ukraine before the start of the Russian invasion of the country, and were located in “a transit status” in the port of Nikolaev, located about 65 kilometers north of the Black Sea. The cargo was destined for third countries, according to the Interfax report.
Last week, Ukraine imposed fresh sanctions against Russia and Belarus, which included sanctions against Uralkali and Belaruskali, according to a Reuters report, citing the list published by Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council (GM Feb. 3, p. 27).