09-07-2025
Czech companies supplying sanctioned goods to Russia
Several Czech companies continue to export goods to Russia in violation of EU sanctions, Czech news site Deník N reported, citing customs data and a list from the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The list names eight Czech firms suspected of circumventing restrictions on exports to Russia. Czech authorities began reviewing the allegations two weeks ago.
According to customs records obtained by Deník N, goods from these companies – including metal-cutting machines subject to EU sanctions – reached Russia in 2023.
In one case, exports were routed through Serbia. The machinery passed through two Serbian firms, FAF Invest and Vamars, which share ownership and began operating only after the full-scale Russian invasion. Neither has previous experience in the machinery sector, and both lack websites. They appear to function primarily as logistics intermediaries.
Among the Czech companies named is Brno-based Pilous. Despite sanctions, its machines – still in packaging marked with the Pilous brand – continue to appear at the St. Petersburg address of its former Russian subsidiary. The company claims it lost control over the subsidiary after the invasion.
Jiří Skuhrovec of the data analysis firm Datlab confirmed for Deník N that Czech-made goods continue to appear in Russian import records, routed through third countries.
