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In 2021, Ukraine was the largest supplier of rapeseed oil to the European Union. After the full-scale invasion, Belarus became the largest supplier, selling 2022 thousand tons of this product to the EU in 114. Ukraine's loss of leadership can be explained by the fact that Russia has seized new territories, the sown area has decreased, and accordingly, less oil is produced.
But journalists have established that Belarus' record figures may also be due to the fact that one of the largest Belarusian rapeseed processors uses raw materials from the occupied Ukrainian territories, and then supplies the oil to the EU without hindrance.
The investigation was prepared by journalists from "Scheme" (Radio Liberty) in cooperation with the Lithuanian publication 15 min. lt, Latvian TV channel TV3, "Belarusian Investigation Center" with the support of "Community of Railway Workers of Belarus" and hacker groups "Cyber guerrillas" і KibOrg.
Kherson robbery
Kherson region is often called the Ukrainian breadbasket. In 2021, a record harvest of early crops was harvested here for all the years of independence and plans were made to develop agrotourism. Everything changed after the full-scale invasion. Several districts of Kherson region were captured by the Russian army, and part of the fertile lands came under the control of the Russian administration. Illegal export of agricultural products began.
In the summer of 2024, thanks to a data leak from the Russian state information system "Zerno", journalists from "Scheme" established that some of the Kherson grain also ends up in Belarus. During 2023, almost 5 thousand tons of rapeseed were exported there.
It was supplied by Russian companies. This is the company "Torgtrade"", related to family Isaiah's, political associates of the father of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov; the company "Agrotrade" from orbit Anton Tikhomirov – former secretary of the United Russia party in Yalta; firm "Veles-Agro" and individual entrepreneur Oleksiy Lukyanchenko from Barnaul. The heads of Agrotrade and Torgtrade additionally confirmed their involvement in the export during a telephone conversation.
The recipients of rapeseed from the occupied part of the Kherson region in Belarus were 5 companies. One of them is "Agroproduct" – is a powerful producer of rapeseed oil. This oil is often tasted in front of the cameras Oleksandr LukashenkoThe same oil is exported to EU countries.
"There are grounds for sanctions"
According to Eurostat, during the first six months of 2024, EU countries bought more than 90 thousand tons of rapeseed oil from Belarus for more than 67 million euros. The main buyers are: Lithuania and Latvia.
These countries received approximately 2024 tons of rapeseed oil exclusively from Agroproduct throughout 50. This is data collected by the Belarusian opposition organization "Community of Railwaymen of Belarus."
Agroproduct oil enters the EU without hindrance, because, firstly, the European Union sanctions have not affected Belarusian food products, and rapeseed oil can be imported and sold without hindrance - except for a ban by one of the countries at the national level, but more on that later. Secondly, the Agroproduct enterprise itself has also not been included in any sanctions lists. Although back in August 2024, Schemy reported that Agroproduct purchases raw materials from the occupied territories.
"With a very high probability, the producer knows that this is stolen rapeseed from the occupied territories of Ukraine. This is a kind of legal basis for imposing sanctions or including this entity in other sanction restrictions," says Kateryna Rashevska, a lawyer at the Regional Center for Human Rights (RCHR).
It is unlikely that Agroproduct does not know about the origin of the rapeseed. The shipping documentation that the buyer receives with each delivery clearly indicates the shipping address: Russian Federation, but Kherson Oblast – that is, an occupied Ukrainian region.
Bypassing the Lithuanian ban
Journalists from the Latvian TV channel TV3 visited the company's office KIF. This is one of four companies importing Agroproduct rapeseed oil to Latvia. The company's turnover after the start of the full-scale war increased from over a million euros in 2021 to 2,3 million euros in 2023.
A company representative noted in a comment to journalists that they are checking their suppliers, but "have no information that the imported product from Belarus was produced from raw materials from the occupied territories."
In contrast to other EU members, Lithuania has nationally abandoned most Belarusian food products, including rapeseed oil, since June last year.
But this did not stop the import. A journalist from 15min.lt spoke with the manager of a logistics company TSLC from Lithuania. He told how to circumvent the ban of the Lithuanian authorities: not to import directly, but through Latvia or Poland.
The same method of importing Belarusian oil was recommended by the company Baltic Transfers, admitting that they are cooperating with the Belarusian Agroproduct.
Traces to Lukashenko
Journalists have discovered that Agroproduct is not just a Belarusian oil producer. The Ukrainian authorities accuse business structures directly connected to it of helping the Russian army. Here's what it's all about. The owner of 70% of Agroproduct is a Belarusian company "Transit-Auto 2003". In January 2023, she was added to Ukraine's sanctions list.
Commenting on the relevant decree, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated: “I signed a decree on the implementation of the NSDC decision on sanctions against legal entities and individuals used by the aggressor state to transport military equipment and soldiers by rail.” It is not known where and under what circumstances the company that founded the enterprise transported Russian military personnel or equipment; the Security Service of Ukraine has not yet responded to journalists’ inquiries.
In addition, investigators found out that Agroproduct also has connections with the Belarusian authorities. Alexey Shvedov, the owner of the company "Transit-Avto 2003", which is a co-founder of Agroproduct, often traveled by car to Ukraine with By Oleksandr Zaitsev – an employee of the Presidential Administration of Belarus.
Also visited Ukraine together with the ex-governor of the Brest region Konstantin Sumar, who called Alexander Lukashenko “a little higher than God.” Another co-founder and director of Agroproduct Oleg Teslyuk In one of his interviews, he boasted that "representatives of the authorities know me, and I can address them and convey people's requests, knowing that they will be considered."
So, journalists have established that the powerful Belarusian rapeseed oil producer Agroproduct supplies its goods to Europe, using raw materials, including from the occupied Ukrainian territories. The company is co-founded by a company that has been sanctioned by Ukraine for transporting Russian soldiers and military equipment, and its owner traveled abroad with an employee of Lukashenko's Administration.
At the same time, neither European nor Ukrainian sanctions have been applied to Agroproduct itself. This means that the company can not only sell oil in the EU, but also buy rapeseed from European and Ukrainian farmers.
Presidential Commissioner for Sanctions Policy Vladyslav Vlasyuk, whom "Schemes" contacted for comment, reviewed the findings of the investigation into "Agroproduct" and noted:
"We can talk about the actions of a foreign legal entity that create real or potential threats to the national interests and territorial integrity of Ukraine, which may be grounds for imposing Ukrainian sanctions."
Director of Agroproduct Oleg Teslyuk refused to speak to journalists.
