Germany cracks down on network supplying goods to Russian defense firms

BERLIN

German authorities on Monday arrested five suspects in a major operation targeting a network accused of smuggling millions of euros’ worth of goods to Russian defense companies in violation of EU sanctions.

The Federal Prosecutor's Office said a German-Ukrainian national, two German nationals, and a German-Russian national were arrested under warrants issued by the investigating judge of the Federal Court of Justice. Another German-Russian national was provisionally detained.

According to prosecutors, the suspects operated through a company based in the northern German city of Lubeck. To conceal their activities, the network allegedly used dummy buyers both within and outside the European Union.

Investigators said the suspects facilitated thousands of shipments to Russia, with illegal transactions totaling at least €30 million ($36 million). The exported goods were delivered to at least 24 Russian defense companies, the statement said.