The Pillage of Ukrainian Agricultural Assets
The Role of Russian Appointed Authorities in the Occupied Districts of Kherson Oblast, Ukraine
Project Expedite Justice (PEJ) highlights how Russian occupying authorities and newly established Russian companies conspired to take over Ukrainian agribusinesses and control the grain trade in occupied parts of Kherson Oblast.
Soon after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the accompanying military looting of stocked grain, Russian occupiers rolled out a more meticulous, deliberate policy of pillage of all agricultural assets. Through official decrees, orders, and decisions, a so-called “Governor,” alongside other Russian authorities and surrogates, wrested supposedly “ownerless” business objects from Ukrainian companies. PEJ collected evidence of 52 agro-industrial companies that the occupying authorities unlawfully appropriated and temporarily transferred to Russian-registered private companies and parastate organizations. Using subsidies and export licensing policies, the authorities positioned a handful of these companies to lead the wholesale storage and export of stolen grain via occupied Crimea.
PEJ investigators and analysts were able to collect evidence and reconstruct a detailed timeline. It illuminates the systematic transfer of all agricultural properties and lands to Russian control. This crime stripped vast sums of wealth from Ukraine.​
Russian authorities in Kherson Oblast constitute an “Occupying Power.” The report describes how the blatant dispossession of Ukrainian agricultural resources by an “Occupying Power” violated international humanitarian law (IHL) on multiple counts. Under the Rome Statute, which criminalizes IHL, the conduct of responsible officials and businesspeople may amount to the war crimes of “pillage” and “seizing enemy property.” While strong indications of such crimes exist, further investigation is required to prove criminal responsibility for them.