The global arms trade is a complex and often controversial industry, particularly when it intersects with geopolitical tensions and international sanctions. One such case is the ongoing import of Italian-made Beretta rifles into Russia, despite sanctions imposed on the country.
In a recent investigation conducted by Russian media outlet The Insider and Italian investigative journalism organization IrpiMedia, it was revealed that Italian firearms manufacturer Beretta continues to export firearms to Russia through its subsidiary and companies associated with Russian arms tycoon Mikhail Khubutia.
Mikhail Khubutia, often referred to as a Russian arms baron, is reportedly one of the key suppliers of rifles to Russia. Together with Beretta Industrie S.P.A., he controls LLC "Russian Eagle," which serves as the official distributor of Beretta in Russia.
The European Union imposed a ban on the export of small arms to Russia back in 2014; however, the export of sniper rifles, pistols, and ammunition through Customs Union countries has persisted.
According to data from Rosaccreditation, over the past two years, Russia has received shipments of various firearms brands owned by the Beretta holding, including Benelli, Beretta, Beretta Benelli Iberica, Sako, Stoeger, and Tikka rifles, as well as Norma, RWS, and Sako cartridges.
In the majority of cases, these firearms were imported either by "Russian Eagle," directly owned by Beretta, or by companies associated with Khubutia.
Nearly half of the sanctioned firearms imported into Russia originate from Beretta-owned companies. Since the start of the conflict, over 835,000 rounds of ammunition and 5,900 units of firearms produced by the holding have been imported into Russia, with "Russian Eagle" and associated companies acting as importers in the vast majority of cases.
The import of Mikhail Khubutia's companies can be broadly categorized into four product groups: pistols, hunting rifles, sniper rifles, and ammunition for these types of firearms. Government agencies and sports institutions, responsible for training future marksmen, continue to procure products manufactured by the Beretta holding.
It's worth noting that Beretta is not the only Italian firearms manufacturer whose products find their way into Russia. CD Europe S.R.L., which produces rifles under the Marocchi and Breda brands, also continues to export them to Russia through the distributor LLC "Italruzhie."
The ongoing import of Italian-made firearms into Russia highlights the challenges associated with enforcing international sanctions in a globalized arms market. Despite efforts to restrict the flow of certain goods, loopholes and alternative routes often allow sanctioned items to reach their intended destinations. This situation underscores the need for continued vigilance and cooperation among nations to address illicit arms trafficking and uphold international security standards.
