Ukraine asks Turkey to detain Russian cargo ship

ISTANBUL—Ukraine on Friday asked Turkey to detain a Russian-flagged cargo ship that Kyiv alleged had set off from the Kremlin-occupied port of Berdyansk reportedly carrying 7,000 tons of grain. Ukrainian ambassador Vasyl Bodnar last month accused Turkey of purchasing grain seized by Russia from Ukraine during its invasion. Berdyansk and its surrounding areas along the Sea of Azov—which links Russia with the Black Sea—have been largely under the Kremlin’s control since the first weeks of Moscow’s February invasion. Moscow-installed officials claim that they have “nationalized” state infrastructure and buy their crops from local farmers. Ukraine says Russia is seizing grain and other goods from locals and exporting them to fund its war effort.