German citizen detained in Poland for supplying machine tools to Russia

Polish special services have detained a German citizen who was selling equipment supplied to Russia and used for weapons production. PAP reported on this. The detention took place on November 20 in the Lubuskie Voivodeship and was performed by Polish Internal Security Agency officers.

The prosecutor's office in Gorzow Wielkopolski, which is overseeing the investigation, has charged a German citizen with mediation and export of dual-use goods to the Russian Federation. The man, whose name has not been disclosed, pleaded guilty and voluntarily agreed to be punished.

One of the production areas of "Kremny EL." Photo from the company's website

The investigation discovered that his company illegally supplied machine tools to Russian factories involved in producing weapons. The German's activities violated the law on foreign trade in goods, technologies, and services of strategic importance for state security, as well as for the maintenance of international peace and security, the press service of the Polish Internal Security Agency reported.

Arrest in the USA

In September, the U.S.

Department of Justice announced the arrest of a Russian man on charges of violating export restrictions, money laundering, and illegally supplying military-grade microelectronics to Russia. It is noted that these components can be used to produce drones. According to the agency, 44-year-old Denis Postovoy lived in Sarasota, Florida, and since at least February 2022, he has been purchasing and illegally exporting microelectronics that can be used in unmanned aerial vehicles from the United States.

Russian Orlan-10 reconnaissance drone.

Photo: Russian media

According to the investigation, the suspect did this through a network of companies he owns or manages in Russia, Hong Kong, and other countries.

Postovoy's companies, WowCube HK Limited, JST Group Hong Kong, and Jove HK Limited, are all based in Hong Kong, while Vector Group was located in Russia.