German law enforcement officers have uncovered a large-scale scheme for the illegal supply of European dual-use components to the russian defense industry, circumventing EU sanctions.
This is reported by Politico.
According to the investigation, the key role in the scheme was played by the company Global Trade from Lubeck. After the start of the full-scale war against Ukraine, it was headed by a 39-year-old businessman "Nikita S.".
However, as investigators established, the actual control over the company was exercised by the russian sanctioned company "Kolovrat", which is connected to the russian defense industry. Russian curators had access to the German company's email and placed orders throughout Europe using fictitious names.
How the scheme worked
Due to the sanctions, direct supply of goods to russia was complicated, so the products were transported through third countries, most often through Turkey.
According to the investigation, only five to ten days passed between the shipment of goods from the European Union and their delivery to russia.
The russian side purchased microcontrollers, electronic components, sensors, converters, oscilloscopes, bearings and other dual-purpose equipment.
The investigators established that some of these goods went directly to russian military enterprises, in particular to the All-russian Research Institute of Automation, which is associated with nuclear weapons development programs.
What investigators found
The case file contains internal correspondence between the scheme participants.
"Make sure everything looks clean. No mention of russia anywhere," one of the messages said.
Another letter instructed the scheme participants: "Remove all documents from the boxes before sending."
Investigators believe that the network involved logisticians, accountants, and sales managers in both Germany and russia. Some of them, according to the investigation, knew the final destination of the goods.
"The goods are needed in a country under sanctions," one of the messages said.
Thousands of deliveries were made through the network
According to the investigation, about 16,000 deliveries worth a total of over EUR 30 million were made through this scheme.
Recall that 30,000 people were evacuated in one of the German cities due to a 1.8-ton air bomb from World War II.
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