Despite the sanctions, in 2023, more than 300 machines with software control of German manufacturers were delivered to the aggressor country of russia.
This is stated in the investigation of the German broadcasting company SWR.
Thus, according to journalists, in russia, about 80% of such machines are used in the production of aircraft, military equipment and ammunition. On the basis of photographs and video footage, the investigators managed to find out that German machines are used at the enterprises Kamaz, Parsek, NIR and Promyshlennaya resheniya.
According to customs documents, deliveries were made until the end of 2023. Investigators managed to identify more than 30 German manufacturers whose cars were imported to the russian federation. Most of them are located in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg.
As noted, in approximately two-thirds of cases, equipment was imported to russia via Türkiye. According to the SWR investigation, some of the Turkish intermediaries involved have direct ties to russia, and some were even founded by russian entrepreneurs.
German machine-building companies responded to journalists' inquiries that they always comply with sanctions regulations. How their equipment got to russia, they could not explain - presumably, the Turkish dealers broke the rules without the knowledge of the German manufacturers. These claims cannot be verified.
Walter Maschinenbau from Tübingen is mentioned in the customs lists 11 times. One russian wholesaler has a machine of this company, manufactured in 2024, for sale. It is likely that the sale of machines manufactured by Walter Maschinenbau continues to this day, SWR suggests.
In 2023, the multi-ton machines of the Vollmer enterprise from Biberach were also noted in the customs lists. This company still maintains an active repair and technical consulting business in the russian federation. Journalists noted that the company did not respond to questions about its business in russia, despite repeated requests.
Fein GmbH from Schwäbisch Gmünd also has an active service website. Last year, its machines were delivered to russia seven times. The company did not answer specific questions from journalists, but simply stated in general terms that "we at the company are taking all measures to comply with the sanctions rules. In addition, we ask you to understand that we will not provide any additional information."
SWR was able to identify Heller vehicles in Nürtingen on video footage of several russian companies that also work for the russian military, including Parsek and Kamaz. Both companies are involved in russian military production. In response to journalists' questions, the Heller company replied that it complies with all sanctions regulations, and could not explain how the cars were delivered to russia last year. According to SWR research, Turkish intermediaries were also involved.
Journalists emphasized that German companies were never able to explain why their machines end up in russia.
"We assume that manufacturers of machine tools and industrial plants generally comply with sanctions and laws. Enterprises and intermediate suppliers who do not comply with current legislation are committing a crime. We reject the suspension of supplies to Türkiye," said SWR in the Union of German Machine Builders.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, three men in Frankfurt am Oder, Germany were sentenced to prison for the illegal export of hundreds of luxury cars to russia.
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