Despite sanctions, Russia purchased microchips and equipment worth USD 900,000 from Europe

Journalists from the Financial Times have found that Russian companies still purchase equipment from the EU despite the sanctions.

The investigation was published on the Financial Times website.

The US Department of Justice has accused the Serniya network of working on "highly confidential and secret procurement activities" on behalf of the Russian FSS, in particular for the Office of Scientific and Technical Intelligence. The company's "clients" include the Foreign Intelligence Service, Rostec and Rosatom.

The journalists found out that the Serniya network and Treydtuls are controlled by the same person, Alexey Zibyrov.

"Treydtuls is registered at the same address as Robin Trade, which is part of the Serniya network.

It was Treydtuls that acquired $900,000 worth of goods for industrial production in the European Union.

Customs data show that at the end of 2022, Treydtuls imported 22 tonnes of equipment from Germany to Russia, with a declared value of $554,000.

The company also bought $253,000 worth of integrated circuit boards in Singapore.

In addition, Treydtuls purchased reinforced grinding and cutting discs worth $3,700 from a Finnish company. These items are restricted by the UK government from being exported to Russia, North Korea and Iran but not prohibited by the EU.