Journalists uncovered nine European companies that collaborate with the Russian defense industry.

Nine manufacturers of industrial equipment from the Czech Republic, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland have continued operations in Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Their products are being utilized in military technology – such supplies are prohibited by Western sanctions.

Source. This is stated in a joint investigation by The Insider and the Czech publication Investigace.

European companies are conducting business through subsidiaries and firms owned by their top executives.

1) The machine-building plant “GRS Ural” in Yekaterinburg is still operational, with a controlling stake owned by the Czech company TOS Varnsdorf. In 2023, the enterprise increased its business volume by 1.5 times. The plant utilizes components imported from the Czech Republic and purchases machinery.

Additionally, from February 2022 to September 2024, TOS Varnsdorf imported products worth over $12 million into Russia.

The company collaborates with at least three state defense factories. These include “Almaz-Antey,” which produces S-300 and Tor air defense systems, the Perm-based “Mashinooborudovatel,” which manufactures components for missile and aircraft engines, and “Reduktor PM,” whose products are used in Mi-8/17, Mi-26, and Mi-28 helicopters.

2) The company “Tahttech” is also actively operating in Russia – a joint venture with the Czech Tachtech, which specializes in the construction and installation of heating and thermal furnaces for industry. The branch's founder is Jiří Tahec, managing director and co-owner of Tachtech s.r.o. “Tahttech” conducts business with metallurgical enterprises that supply metal for military factories.

Among its clients is the Omsk Transport Engineering Plant, which produces TZM-T machines for heavy flamethrower systems “Solntsepek” and provides maintenance for T-80 tanks.

3) Another Czech trading and industrial group, Alta, operates in Russia through its wholly-owned subsidiary “A-R.” The parent company specializes in machinery and equipment for the extraction and processing of minerals and is the exclusive representative in the Czech Republic and Slovakia for TVEL – a Russian supplier of nuclear fuel.

4) The Czech company Kovosvit continues supplying Russian military factories. Since the war began, 56 batches of machines from this firm have been imported into the country, totaling nearly $3.2 million.

5) A portion of the products was imported by the Czech company Labara – a manufacturer of electrical insulation materials – through its Russian subsidiary “Labara-Rus.” Since February 24, 2022, the subsidiary has purchased 324 batches of industrial equipment worth almost $5.4 million in total.

6) Through “Labara,” the firm is connected to the Czech machine-building enterprise PTV and its official dealer in Russia – the company “Technology of Water and Metal.” The latter imported American parts for hydro-abrasive machines used in the production of military technology via a Turkish intermediary. During the war, its revenue has doubled.

7) The Swiss company Meg Metal SA is also still operational in Russia. Between 2022 and 2023, it imported 149 types of steel products worth $13.87 million through its subsidiary “Evrostal.” The largest buyers included TsNII KM “Prometey” of the Kurchatov Institute, which develops alloys for nuclear submarines and icebreakers; Uralmashplant, which produces equipment for metallurgy and mining, and the gas turbine manufacturer “Power Machines.”

8) The Swedish GCE Group collaborates with Russia as well. It supplies gas equipment used in the production of military technology through its subsidiary “GCE Krass.” From February 2022 to April 2024, the firm imported 655 product items worth $5.82 million.

9) The Polish company Seco/Warwick is also on the list. It supplies industrial furnaces for manufacturers in aviation, machine engineering, tooling, and other heat treatment sectors. From February 2022 to April 2024, the firm imported 149 product items worth a total of $1.41 million, with 69% of this amount shipped directly by Polish companies.

Background. As established by the investigation, Saudi Arabia purchased weapons worth more than €2 billion during the war in Russia.