Large-scale scheme supplying European technologies to the Russian military-industrial complex uncovered in Germany
Kyiv • UNN
The German company Global Trade sent 16,000 shipments of dual-use technologies to the Russian Federation. The 30-million-euro scheme was uncovered by the BND intelligence service.
In Germany, law enforcement officers have uncovered and shut down a large-scale smuggling scheme involving European dual-use technologies for the Russian military industry, which operated in circumvention of Western sanctions. This was reported by Politico, according to UNN.
Details
According to the investigation materials, a German trading company, Global Trade, based in the city of Lübeck, was at the center of the smuggling scheme. After the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, it was headed by a 39-year-old businessman, "Nikita S."
In reality, the company was managed by the Russian sanctioned firm "Kolovrat," which serves Russia's defense-industrial complex. Russian handlers had direct access to the German firm's email. They ordered goods across Europe under fictitious names, mimicking the activities of a legitimate business from the FRG.
Since direct exports to Russia became difficult due to Western sanctions, the criminal network began routing shipments in transit through other countries, most often through Turkey. According to the investigation, the gap between export from the EU and import to Russia often amounted to only five to ten days.
As shown by customs records and intelligence reports contained in the case, the Russians mass-purchased microcontrollers, electronic components, sensors, converters, ball bearings, mechanical parts, oscilloscopes, and other measuring equipment. Investigators tracked that these dual-use goods went directly to Russian military enterprises. In particular, equipment was received by the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Automatics, which is linked to the nuclear weapons development program.
Internal correspondence cited in the case indicates that deception became routine. In one message, "Nikita S." reminded a partner: "Make sure everything looks clean. No mention of Russia anywhere." In another message: "Remove all documents from the boxes before shipping."
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In the materials, investigators note that the system depended on a wider circle of individuals: logistics personnel who handled shipments and documentation, accountants who processed payments and prepared invoices, and sales managers who sought suppliers across Europe. Some of them worked from Germany, others from Russia. Investigators believe that several individuals knew exactly where the goods were going. One message stated this directly: "The goods are needed in a sanctioned country."
In total, about 16,000 shipments worth over 30 million euros passed through this network. Germany's foreign intelligence service (BND) was able to expose the smugglers. German intelligence officers managed to penetrate the internal network of the Russian company "Kolovrat" and track transactions from the inside.
"Nikita S." and several of his accomplices were arrested after prolonged surveillance. They are accused of systematic violations of export controls and large-scale sanctions evasion. Under German law, the suspects face up to 10 years in prison.
The documents indicate that this was not an isolated scheme, but part of a broader system created to ensure a continuous flow of critical technologies to Russia despite Western sanctions. In one assessment, the BND notes that another Russian company—Rokem Services—attempted to obtain sanctioned equipment from a German firm through intermediaries, including Global Trade, a Turkish state entity, and "Kolovrat."
The BND noted: "It is assumed that this equipment consists of components for seawater desalination plants, which can also be used for military purposes, particularly on nuclear submarines."