The Supreme Court of Sweden decided to support the arrest and transfer to Ukraine of the Russian shadow fleet vessel Caffa, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced on social media platform X. According to Ukrainian investigators, the ship illegally exported grain from occupied Sevastopol.
Sybiha welcomed the Swedish ruling supporting the seizure and transfer of the vessel. He said the landmark decision sets an important precedent by showing that law enforcement and prosecutors working with an independent court system can bring tangible results. He added that Ukraine continues working to counter Russia's shadow fleet and disrupt its ability to fund its war.
Investigation and sanctions
Public broadcaster Suspilne reported that Ukrainian investigators began tracking Caffa in June 2025. Kateryna Yaresko, a journalist with the SeaKrime project at the Myrotvorets Center, explained that the ship updated its owners, management, and flag before entering occupied Sevastopol at the end of June. She said investigators noticed the ship and paid attention to its flag because it had just registered it, but was already listed in databases as Guinea False.
Ukrainian authorities opened a criminal investigation into the matter and imposed sanctions against Caffa in November 2025. Following its detention in Sweden, Ukrainian officials requested the arrest of the vessel.
The Main Directorate of the Security Service of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea stated that criminal proceeding materials sent to Swedish authorities confirmed the ship's routes, activities, use of closed Crimean ports, and legal justifications for procedural actions. A Swedish court previously supported Ukraine's position and arrested the vessel in early June.
