A large-scale scheme has been uncovered in Germany where European technologies were allegedly sent to Russia, bypassing sanctions, with millions of euros worth of dual-use equipment reportedly delivered to the defense and nuclear industries.
Modern.az reports, citing foreign media, that one of the main figures in the investigation was 39-year-old businessman Nikita S. He was detained at the Radisson Blu Senator hotel in Lübeck after a four-year operation by German special services and customs officials.
According to the investigation, the Lübeck-based company “Global Trade” became a procurement center for the Russian company “Kolovrat” (“Siderius”), which was subject to US sanctions after the war in Ukraine began.
It is reported that microcontrollers, sensors, oscilloscopes, bearings, and other dual-use equipment were sent to Russia through intermediaries in Turkey and a network of shell companies. It is noted that these technologies could be used in the defense and nuclear industries.
Investigation materials claim that Russian employees effectively managed the German company from Moscow. They reportedly gained access to corporate emails and presented themselves as German managers.
The correspondence reportedly contained instructions to “not mention Russia,” remove documents from boxes before shipments, and use Turkey as a transit point.
According to the prosecution, approximately 16,000 deliveries with a total value of over 30 million euros were made through the network. Authorities claim that some shipments were linked to Russian defense industry enterprises and the VNIIA institute, which is associated with Russia's nuclear program.
The investigation reportedly began after the German Federal Intelligence Service – BND – gained access to internal documents of the Russian side.
Currently, several suspects are in custody. They face up to 10 years in prison.
