Captain & Officer Charged for Illegal Border Crossings

The Captain and Second Officer of a Cameroon-flagged cargo ship, the USKO MFU, have been accused of unlawful border crossings into Ukraine and transporting goods to and from Crimea, which is under Russian occupation.

In July 2024, Ukrainian authorities detained the vessel as it navigated the Danube River near the port of Reni. The ship’s Captain, an Azerbaijani national, and the unidentified Second Officer now face up to five years in prison for violating Ukraine’s regulations on transporting grain from occupied regions.

The USKO MFU had also been involved in transporting 3,000 tons of grain from Crimea to a Turkish firm in November 2023. Reports indicate the ship returned to Sevastopol between May and June 2024, with its AIS system turned off between May 22 and June 5. Satellite imagery captured the vessel unloading cargo at Komyshova Bay, Sevastopol, during this period.

Ukrainian officials stated they have been tracking the USKO MFU for multiple breaches of maritime law in connection to Crimea.