- Category
- War in Ukraine
BMW Admits Russia’s “Pirate” BMWs Hit the Market as Kaliningrad Plant Keeps Assembly Going
Prefer U24 Media on Google
- Authors
![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
German automaker BMW has confirmed that Russia’s Avtotor plant in Kaliningrad has been assembling limited batches of BMW vehicles since 2025 using kits allegedly left over after the company ended cooperation in 2022, The Insider reported on July 3.
At the same time, Avtotor has announced production of the diesel BMW X6 40d—a model that industry experts say had not previously been produced at the Kaliningrad facility.
We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.
BMW Group representative Caroline Bachmann told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that Avtotor is using old, partly outdated kits that remained at the plant after BMW withdrew from Russia. According to Bachmann, the unauthorized assembly is still continuing “irregularly.”
BMW said it had informed state authorities, sellers, and potential buyers about the risks of purchasing and using such vehicles. The company did not specify what steps authorities or dealers took after receiving the warning.
In May, Avtotor announced the start of BMW X6 40d assembly. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty noted that this model had not been produced at the Kaliningrad plant before.
Automotive industry experts said launching a new model would likely require more than leftover warehouse stock, since assembling one vehicle requires thousands of parts from hundreds of suppliers.
Sources cited in the report suggested that some BMW parts, or compatible components, may have continued reaching Russia through intermediaries, parallel imports, and third countries.
Automotive industry expert Christopher Ludwig also warned of possible problems with electronics, software, and build quality. Without BMW’s engineering and technological oversight, the vehicles may not have received official updates, while software in some systems could have been replaced or reprogrammed, he said.
In February, automotive expert Sergey Aslanyan told The Insider that BMW assembly had resumed in Kaliningrad. He claimed that after 2025, Avtotor began producing BMW X5 and X6 models in top trims, followed by the BMW X7.
Aslanyan also said BMW’s Russian division continued operating, with dealers still taking orders, repairing vehicles, and supplying spare parts despite the company’s announced exit from the Russian market.
According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, “pirate” BMWs assembled in Kaliningrad appeared on sale in March 2025. Three SUV models are being offered for 11.9 million to 12.9 million rubles, or roughly $155,000 to $168,000.
That is tens of thousands of dollars cheaper than comparable vehicles brought into Russia through parallel import schemes.
Earlier, Polish tax authorities imposed a 20 million PLN fine (approximately $5.5 million) on a local company for deliberate violations of European Union sanctions through the sale of luxury vehicles to Russia.
Discuss this article:
-5b9bb1d42a6ea3f8375dd1da8095f27a.jpg "Ukraine Hits All 11 of Russia’s Largest Oil Refineries in Long-Range Drone Campaign")
-29a1a43aba23f9bb779a1ac8b98d2121.jpeg "Photo of Illia Kabachynskyi")
