Russian Billionaires' Chemical Plants Supply Explosives to Military, Reuters Investigation Reveals

Chemical plants connected to some of Russia’s wealthiest billionaires have been found to play a crucial role in supplying chemicals for explosives used in Moscow’s military operations against Ukraine.

According to a Reuters investigation, these plants have provided over 75% of the key chemicals used in explosives production since the onset of the war.

The investigation identified five major chemical companies linked to billionaires such as Roman Abramovich, Vagit Alekperov, Dmitry Mazepin, Andrey Melnichenko, and Iskander Makhmudov. These companies have been supplying substances like RDX and HMX, crucial components for artillery shells and missiles, to Russian explosives factories.

While the billionaires themselves face Western sanctions, their companies have largely escaped major restrictions, continuing to provide essential products to the Russian military.

Despite claims from these companies that they are only producing “civilian” goods, the delivery of chemicals to military facilities contradicts these assertions. The transportation of chemicals, tracked through railway data, confirms the military use of these supplies.

The data also revealed that these companies, despite their civilian branding, contribute significantly to Russia’s war machine by supplying raw materials for explosives, earning substantial revenues from exports, including fertilizers, while bypassing Western sanctions.

Earlier, Russian smugglers were found to be bypassing EU sanctions on luxury cars by using new routes, including through Turkey, Georgia, and South Korea. An investigation revealed that Russian companies were offering to import restricted vehicles, including luxury cars, that were listed at significantly marked-up prices. Despite claims that the cars were destined for third countries, many were rerouted to Russia, with some vehicles even registered by Moscow-based companies.