Finnish companies supply components to Russia's defence industry to circumvent sanctions

Finnish companies provide components and equipment for the Russian defence industry and help circumvent sanctions.

The Finnish public broadcaster Yle has published an investigation.

Yle identified more than 20 Finnish companies that exported components and equipment to Russian military enterprises. These are small logistics companies that supply Russia with cameras for drones, lithium batteries, engine parts, valves for cars, etc. 

Finnish companies also act as intermediaries between Russian enterprises and foreign sellers. In this case, the Finnish company handled the cargo, stored it, and prepared the necessary documents. For example, after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Finnish companies organised the transport of sanctioned goods to Uzbekistan. Russia uses this country to circumvent sanctions on technology goods.

Most of these companies are located in the southeastern regions of Finland, close to the border with Russia. Some also have owners of Russian origin or Russian citizens. At least nine of the Russian clients of these Finnish companies have ties to the FSB and the Russian defence industry. 

In September 2023, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on two Finnish logistics companies, Siberica Oy and Luminor Oy, for supplying Russia with sanctioned dual-use goods. They shipped foreign electronics to Russia, including drones, UAV cameras, high-performance optical filters and lithium batteries.