Journalists from The Insider conducted an investigation and found out that the manufacturer of Russian Kinzhal missiles receives components from Europe, avoiding sanctions.
The Kolomna Corporation “Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering” (KBM), which produces Iskanders and Daggers, continues to receive components from Europe and other countries with the help of intermediary companies.
In particular, the corporation, which is part of Rostec, receives American chips for missiles from China. They are purchased by the Moscow company ETS Electronics LLC, established in 2021, from the Chinese company ETC Electronics Limited, states The Insider*.
KBM receives the remaining components for its missiles from Europe. For example, heat and cold chambers are imported from Poland through the Moscow company Ostek-Test LLC, and in Germany KEB-Rus LLC purchases lathes for KBM. Intermediary companies also purchase products for KBM from manufacturers from Latvia, Lithuania, Belgium and the UK.
Since Soviet times, the post of head of the Mechanical Engineering Design Bureau has been occupied by Sergei Pitikov. His daughter Maya Pitikova lives in Sweden, near Malmo. In a conversation with reporters, she stated that “the Putin regime is waging a criminal, bloody, senseless war,” but refused to make any other comments: “I am not ready to participate in a conversation that is initially directed against my father.”
In the West, Sergei Pitikov not only has a family, but also suppliers: from abroad, contractors of the manufacturer of “Daggers” receive the components necessary for production.
*The Insider is an online publication that specializes in investigative journalism, debunking fake news and fact-checking. The founder is journalist Roman Dobrokhotov. The Insider’s staff works from 10 countries via the Internet.
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