Russian billionaires provide explosives production — media
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Reuters conducted an extensive investigation, revealing links between major Russian chemical companies and Russia's military industry. These companies, partially owned by oligarchs under Western sanctions, supplied key chemical ingredients to factories that produce explosives used in the war in Ukraine.
This was reported by Reuters on Monday, December 30.
The main findings of the investigation
Five Russian chemical companies controlled by billionaires, including Roman Abramovich, Dmitry Mazepin, Andrey Melnichenko, and Vagit Alekperov, have supplied more than 75% of key chemicals to Russian explosives plants since the start of the war in Ukraine (February 2022).
Plants such as the Sverdlovsk plant in Dzerzhinsk and other enterprises run by the state corporation Rostec used chemicals to produce explosives, including octogen and hexogen. These materials are used for artillery shells, missiles, and other weapons.
Despite the sanctions, companies owned by the oligarchs maintained exports and production, avoiding restrictions on fertilizers and chemicals that were considered "civilian".
According to the agency, the billionaires and their companies supplied tens of thousands of tons of acetic and nitric acids, ammonium nitrate, and other chemicals used in the military industry.
Key companies and their statements
- Evraz (shares owned by Roman Abramovich) and Lukoil (Vagit Alekperov) claim that their products are used only for civilian purposes.
- Eurochem (Andrey Melnichenko) denies control by its founder and claims that 97% of its production is fertilizer.
- Uralchem (Dmitry Mazepin) and other companies either evade comment or reject the investigation's findings.
The Reuters analysis emphasizes that Western sanctions have failed to fully curb Russia's military production. This is due to the fact that chemical companies continue to operate as "civilian enterprises", earning money by exporting fertilizers and supplying raw materials for weapons.
Experts emphasize the need to revise the sanctions policy to exclude supplies that support Russia's military machine.
Earlier, Ukrainian intelligence reported the discovery of Western components in a downed Russian drone. According to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (DIU), the drone contained electronics manufactured by companies from the United States, Germany, and Switzerland.
Taras Chmut, the head of the charitable foundation, also stated that Oreshnik cannot be a strong argument in negotiations with Ukraine. In his opinion, despite its power, the mere presence of this weapon is not decisive, as it could be in the case of a nuclear arsenal.
Earlier, at his annual press conference, Putin proposed to launch an "experimental" Oreshnik strike on Kyiv.
