How European Car Parts Ended Up Funding Russia’s War in Ukraine
The Kremlin’s ongoing war in Ukraine has taken a heavy toll on the Russian military’s vehicle stockpile. Facing dwindling resources, Moscow has increasingly relied on civilian trucks for troop and equipment transportation, even as Western sanctions aim to cripple the flow of essential supplies. But a recent investigation reveals a disturbing loophole: millions of dollars worth of truck parts from a leading Norwegian supplier have found their way into Russia’s war machine through a Turkish intermediary, circumventing EU sanctions.
A Trail of Parts Leading to Warfare
Kongsberg Automotive, a major supplier of parts to renowned car brands like Volvo, Ford, Scania, and Jaguar Land Rover, claims to have halted all direct exports to Russia in 2022. They call supplying an “aggressor” state “immoral and reprehensible.” However, leaked Russian customs records obtained by the investigative unit of RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service and Norwegian public broadcaster NRK reveal a different story.
These records show at least 126 shipments of Kongsberg Automotive parts destined for Russia between July 2022 and April 2024. The Turkish company Hidirusta Otomotiv, one of Kongsberg Automotive’s customers, orchestrated these shipments, totaling around $2.8 million.
Recycled Parts, Renewed Warfare
While some of Hidirusta Otomotiv’s shipments went to Russian companies engaged in truck repairs and transportation, two recipients, A.P.R. and Gruzavtozapchast-36, have documented ties to Russian defense firms.
A.P.R. supplied car parts to Orenburgagrosnabtekhservis, a partner of Kirovsky Zavod, a Russian machine-building and metallurgical enterprise recently added to the U.S. sanctions list. Universalmash, a subsidiary of Kirovsky Zavod, supplies parts for Russian military hardware deployed in Ukraine. Gruzavtozapchast-36, meanwhile, has links to Baltic Leasing, a Russian company that supplied bulldozers to a major Russian military training facility now under Ukrainian sanctions.
Civilian Trucks Fueling the War Machine
The reliance on civilian trucks for military purposes is a growing concern. Aage Borchgrevink, a senior advisor at the Norwegian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, explains, “The war in Ukraine is very much about logistics. The entire Russian economy is geared toward producing the goods and services that will make this war possible. One of the most important things here are trucks and car parts.”
These vehicles are crucial for transporting not just supplies, but also launching attack drones like the Iranian-made Shahed-136, which Russia frequently uses against Ukrainian targets.
Sanctions Loopholes and Corporate Responsibility
The Kongsberg Automotive case exposes a critical flaw in the EU’s sanctions regime: the ease with which goods can be diverted through third countries like Turkey. Despite halting direct sales to Russia, Kongsberg Automotive’s failure to properly vet its Turkish customer and monitor the flow of its products allowed these crucial parts to end up in the hands of the Russian military.
While Kongsberg Automotive claims it could not have foreseen the resale of its parts to Russia, Ukrainian officials like Vladyslav Vlasiuk critique the company’s insufficient due diligence. They call for stronger enforcement of sanctions and increased responsibility from corporations.
The Road Ahead
This case highlights the complex challenges of enforcing sanctions in an interconnected world. It underscores the need for greater vigilance, transparency, and accountability from both governments and companies.
The war in Ukraine continues to escalate, demanding a unified global response. We must remain vigilant in holding those accountable who contribute, knowingly or unknowingly, to its devastating consequences.