Despite Western sanctions, the Russian Biysk Oleum Plant (BOZ) in Siberia, which produces explosives for military needs, received equipment from the German company Siemens through intermediaries in China, writes Reuters, citing customs data and state procurement documents.
In October 2022, BOZ, which is part of the Federal State Enterprise «Plant named after Ya. M. Sverdlov», under sanctions, entered into an agreement with the Russian company «Tekhpribor» for the supply of Siemens automation systems. Before fulfilling the contract, «Tekhpribor» purchased the necessary parts from the Chinese company «Huizhou Funn Tek», which, as they stated, can buy equipment without specifying the end user.
According to the agency's data, the equipment supplied from China matched the models ordered by BOZ.
According to analysts, automated machines are critically important for increasing ammunition production in conditions of labor shortages. Without them, it would be significantly more difficult for Russia to maintain the intensity of the war.
The supply of Western technologies through third countries highlights a serious gap in the sanctions policy, which the EU is already trying to close by imposing restrictions against Chinese companies cooperating with the Russian military-industrial complex.