A compeny operating in Eastern Finland is suspected of delivering sanctioned components to Russia. Photo: Emmi Korhonen / Str / Lehtikuva
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Finnish Customs is investigating a Helsinki-based freight forwarding company suspected of exporting industrial goods to Russia in breach of international sanctions. The alleged activity took place between 2022 and 2025, with the value of the exported goods estimated at €300,000.
The company is accused of exporting items including bearings and motors suitable for industrial use. Customs believes many of the shipments were routed through third countries, mainly Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, after leaving the European Union via Lithuania, Poland, or Bulgaria.
A consignment of dual-use goods, which require export authorisation due to their potential military applications, was intercepted within Finland. Authorities said the company had attempted to send these goods to Russia without the necessary licence.
Hanna Koskenranta, the lead investigator at Finnish Customs, said one of the recipients of the shipments is now on US and EU sanctions lists. She confirmed that “most of the goods under investigation exited the EU via either Lithuania or Poland to Belarus, destined for Central Asian states.”
Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, the company focused on trade with Russian firms. Following the start of the war, the company altered its operations and began exporting primarily to countries surrounding Russia.
Evidence gathered from a search conducted by Finnish Customs indicates the company acted as an intermediary between European suppliers and Russian buyers. Investigators suspect the company also directly acquired goods from within the EU and exported them to Russia through foreign channels.
The case is being handled as an aggravated regulation offence. Finnish Customs has confirmed that the main suspect is a Soviet-born man residing in Finland, who serves as the sole responsible person for the company. His identity has not been made public.
The investigation includes cross-border cooperation with law enforcement agencies in other countries. Once the preliminary investigation is completed, the case will be handed to the Prosecution District of Southern Finland.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
