Austria exposes network supplying equipment to Russian military-industrial complex

Austria has uncovered an international scheme to supply Russia with sanctioned industrial equipment used by Russian defense-industrial companies. Machine tools and tools needed, in particular, for the production of cruise missile engines and combat aircraft, were supplied to Russia through a network of companies in various countries.

This was reported by the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior.

The investigation focused on a company registered in Vienna. According to law enforcement, it was used to purchase and then supply to Russia products that were subject to European Union sanctions.

In particular, we are talking about numerically controlled machines and special tools for metal processing.

To hide the true recipients of the equipment, the scheme participants involved companies in Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, South Korea, Poland, and Lithuania.

They provided European manufacturers with fake certificates indicating that the equipment was supposedly intended for use in third countries.

In fact, the products were supplied to companies affiliated with the Russian state corporation Rostec.

Investigators found that this equipment was used, among other things, to produce engines for cruise missiles and combat aircraft, as well as other military equipment.

According to the investigation, they began purchasing industrial products for Russian military enterprises back in 2019. After sanctions were tightened, the participants in the scheme organized supplies through third countries, primarily Turkey and Hong Kong.

Since 2022, law enforcement officials have confirmed the supply of equipment to Russian defense enterprises worth over 3.3 million euros. At the same time, the turnover of the Austrian company exceeded 700 thousand euros.

In August 2025, law enforcement officers conducted searches at four locations in Vienna and seized about 40 electronic media.

In May 2026, investigators detained the 28-year-old managing director and co-owner of the company, who has Belarusian citizenship.

Law enforcement officers also seized CNC machines and special tools subject to sanctions. Their total value is estimated at approximately 140,000 euros.

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