Turkey detained Russian cargo ship carrying stolen grain, Ukraine says

Turkish customs authorities have detained a Russian cargo ship carrying stolen Ukrainian grain, Ukraine's ambassador to Turkey said on Sunday, Reuters reported. 

Ukraine earlier requested that Turkey detain and arrest Zhibek Zoly, a Russian-flagged cargo ship transporting Ukrainian grain taken from Russian-occupied port of Berdyansk.

"We have full co-operation. The ship has been detained by the customs authorities of Turkey and is currently standing at the entrance to the port" Reuters quoted Ambassador Vasyl Bodnar appearing on Ukrainian national television.

Bodnar said a team of investigators would decide if the grain would be confiscated.

Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of stealing grain from the Russian occupied territories, a claim the Kremlin denies. 

There was no comment from Turkey so far concerning the arrival or the seizure of the cargo ship.

Grain shipments from Ukraine have been halted by Russia's invasion, causing global food shortages. 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday announced that Turkey was ready to intermediate in transportation of the grains to countries in need.