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The peace process in eastern Ukraine is stalling. The Russian separatists still fight the Ukrainian militias there. Therefore, the European Union extended its sanctions against Russia at the end of June, including a ban on the surrender of weapons.
Although Switzerland does not participate in the sanctions, it has taken steps to prevent the Confederation from being misused for circumvention transactions.
SonntagsBlick’s research now shows that this almost happened. Between July and September, Moscow tried to procure Swiss technology that could be used for military purposes.
Fake forged recipient
A private Russian company ordered record players worth 1.3 million francs from a Swiss technology company, supposedly for civilian use.
The federal government has now stopped the business. A control group with representatives from various departments, including specialists from the Federal Intelligence Service (NDB), became suspicious and concluded that the delivery should, in fact, be sent to a military recipient.
It is not clear for what purpose exactly. The fact is that turntables can be used to make sensors that are used in combat aircraft and missiles, but also in electronic warfare.
Serious doubts
The federal government does not say which Swiss company was involved in the deal: official secret!
Fabian Maienfisch, spokesman for the Secretary of State for the Economy (Seco), only confirms: “There were considerable doubts about the plausibility of the end use.”
