OSINT

Russia’s Smuggled Grain Finds New Market in Saudi Arabia

January 22, 2026 at 00:46Z
BIAS: Center
RELIABILITY: Very High

Political Bias Rating

This rating indicates the source’s editorial stance on the political spectrum, based on analysis from Media Bias/Fact Check, AllSides, and Ad Fontes Media.

Far Left / Left: Progressive editorial perspective
Lean Left: Slightly progressive tendency
Center: Balanced, minimal editorial slant
Lean Right: Slightly conservative tendency
Right / Far Right: Conservative editorial perspective

Current source: Center. Stories with cross-spectrum coverage receive elevated prominence.

Reliability Rating

This rating measures the source’s factual accuracy, sourcing quality, and journalistic standards based on third-party fact-checking assessments.

Very High: Exceptional accuracy, rigorous sourcing
High: Strong factual reporting, minor issues rare
Mixed: Generally accurate but occasional concerns
Low: Frequent errors or misleading content
Very Low: Unreliable, significant factual issues

Current source: Very High. Higher reliability sources receive elevated weighting in story prioritization.

Bellingcat
12:38Z

A joint investigation by Bellingcat and Lloyd’s List has identified Saudi Arabia as the newest country to import grain directly from a Western-sanctioned port in occupied Crimea, as Russia attempts to secure recognition of the Ukrainian territory via a US-led peace plan. Satellite imagery and Automated Identification System (AIS) data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence shows the bulk carrier Krasnodar (IMO: 9296781) sailed from Avlita Grain Terminal in Sevastopol to Saudi Arabia on two occasions between September and November 2025. Bellingcat confirmed Krasnodar’s journeys ended at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Port in September and the Port of Jazan in November.

These journeys show that Saudi Arabia has joined buyers in Iran, Syria, Egypt, Turkey, Venezuela and Houthi-controlled territories in

Source Assessment

Political Bias
Center
Reliability
Very High
Coverage
+1 outlets
Coverage:
0 Left
2 Center
0 Right

Continue reading at the original source

Read Full Article at Bellingcat →