At a press conference last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia continues to receive machine tools from abroad, naming eight Czech companies among the suppliers. Czech officials responded with claims of ignorance, but an investigation by a Russian outlet, The Insider, found at least twelve such firms had equipment sent to Russia during 2023 and 2024.
Amid ongoing G7 sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine, Russia continues to exploit loopholes to obtain Western industrial equipment for its military production. Russian customs data shows that Czech machine tool exports to Russia fell from $18 million in 2023 to $12 million in 2024, but deliveries of dual-use equipment continue to raise concerns. Many firms used subsidiaries and third countries to avoid direct sanctions, and some still name Russia as an export market in 2025.
Zelenskyy’s remarks prompt official Czech reaction
Speaking on 21 June 2025, Zelenskyy alleged that the Russian defense industry is still being supplied with foreign machine tools, singling out Czech companies. Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský replied that he does not know which companies are involved.
Meanwhile, Czech Minister for Industry and Trade Lukáš Vlček promised to investigate the possible involvement of Czech businesses in supplying Russia’s defense industry. Minister for European Affairs Martin Dvořák acknowledged that Zelenskyy “might be right” and added that the possibility of Czech companies bypassing sanctions “would not surprise” him.
12 Czech companies exported machine tools to Russia
An investigation published by The Insider on 25 June revealed that at least 12 Czech companies exported machine tools into Russia in 2023 and 2024, often through countries such as Estonia, Serbia, Türkiye, and Latvia. Based on Russian customs data, Czech machinery worth $18 million entered Russia in 2023, and $12 million in 2024. The bulk of this trade—around $8 million—came from just three manufacturers: Šmeral Brno, Varnsdorf, and TAJMAC-ZPS.
Sanction bypasses and subsidiaries used for delivery
According to The Insider, Czech tools reached Russia through indirect routes. One Russian recipient, JSC Pilous, 70% owned by Pilous-Pásové Pily, got bandsaws shipped via Serbia. Šmeral Brno still publicly lists Russia as a key export destination.
Czech machines linked to Russian drone hub
One delivery followed by The Insider went to a firm near a Shahed drone site in Russia’s Alabuga zone. The recipient, 60% owned by Czech firm Jihostroj, got a rack press built by its parent for use in gear pump production.
Russia uses the Iranian-designed Shahed drones, produced in Tatarstan’s Alabuga for daily attacks against Ukrainian cities.
Additional exporters active in 2023–2024
The Insider also identified five more Czech firms—N.Ko, Prestar, Tachtech, Stroje Zeman Trade, and Permico—that supplied metalworking equipment to Russia during 2023–2024. In total, their shipments were valued at roughly $500,000. The deliveries included pipe-cutting tools applicable to the energy sector. Several buyers were obscure entities, likely retail or specialized resellers. Among them, OOO “Takhtech Rus,” the Russian branch of Czech firm Tachtech, remains openly active in Russia as of 2025.
Permico s.r.o., another exporter, shipped a South Korean-made Doosan CNC lathe to Russia in 2024. The company denied having traded with Russia, but its public materials indicate it buys and sells used machinery across third countries.
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