Austrian intelligence services uncovered a Vienna-based firm, led by a Belarusian national, that supplied CNC machine tools and metalworking equipment to Russia’s military-industrial complex through a network of shell companies in eight countries.
Austrian Police / © Associated Press
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Austria has exposed a scheme for supplying sanctioned equipment used in the production of missiles and fighter jets to Russia.
The Austrian Office for State Security and Intelligence (DSN) revealed an international operation that allowed Russian arms manufacturers to obtain equipment while circumventing European Union sanctions, as reported by the country’s Interior Ministry.
At the heart of the investigation was a Vienna-registered company established specifically to procure sanctioned goods for Russia’s defense sector, notably CNC machine tools and specialized metalworking instruments. To obscure the actual routes, an international network comprised of fictitious entities in Turkey, the UAE, Hong Kong, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, South Korea, Poland, and Lithuania was utilized.
This equipment was employed, among other applications, in the manufacturing of engines for cruise missiles and combat aircraft, as well as in the assembly of other types of military hardware.
Procurements for Russian military consumers had been ongoing since 2019. Following the tightening of restrictions, supply chains began to be routed through third countries, including Hong Kong and Turkey. Since 2022, shipments to Russian military-industrial enterprises totaling over 3.3 million euros have been confirmed. The revenue generated by the Austrian legal entity exceeded 700,000 euros.
On May 13th, the 28-year-old managing director and co-owner of the company, a Belarusian citizen, was detained. Simultaneously, law enforcement seized sanctioned metalworking equipment and specialized tools valued at approximately 140,000 euros. The accused is currently in custody.
Recall that a Putin spy network was uncovered in Vienna: at least 20 out of 117 Russian “diplomats” accredited in Austria have direct ties to Russian intelligence agencies.
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