German authorities arrested five men on Monday for illegally exporting industrial goods to Russian arms manufacturers. The defendants arranged about 16,000 deliveries worth at least €30 million. Officials say the exports violated European Union embargoes on Russia amid the Ukraine war.
The suspects include two German-Russian dual citizens and one German-Ukrainian dual citizen. Central to the investigation is a Lübeck-based trading company owned by Nikita S. Authorities say he used shell companies to hide transactions. Prosecutors allege goods were sent to Russian defense firms with government support.
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The illegally exported items included mechanical and technical components, such as ball bearings and semiconductor devices. At least 24 Russian defense companies received the shipments. Kyiv has urged European nations to prevent exports that could aid Russian weapons production.
Authorities say the defendants created fictitious buyers and used intermediaries inside and outside the EU. The investigation shows a coordinated effort to bypass sanctions. Prosecutors warned that such schemes threaten European security and violate international law.
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Germany’s crackdown signals a stronger stance against sanction violations. Investigators continue tracing all companies involved. Observers say this case highlights Europe’s challenge in enforcing export controls against Russian military industries.