In a significant discovery, Lithuania's intelligence agencies have unveiled the presence of companies within the country that continue to engage with Russian businesses, aiding them in circumventing international sanctions. This revelation stems from a joint report by the Counterintelligence Department of the State Security Department and the Military Intelligence and Security Service under the Ministry of Defense, as reported by LRT and "European Truth."
The detailed report highlights how Russian entities frequently engage Russian and Belarusian companies, long-established in Lithuania, in schemes designed to bypass sanctions. These companies provide a range of services including warehousing, transportation, and customs, particularly facilitating the export of components for the transportation sector, metalworking and laboratory equipment, electronics, microelectronics, and military products to Russia.
Emphasizing Russia's concerted efforts to sidestep international sanctions, the report notes the development of new evasion schemes involving Russian special services. These schemes leverage contacts with companies operating within the European Union, utilizing Russian and Belarusian nationals. The majority of these individuals owning Lithuanian companies tied to sanction evasion have direct business connections in Russia and Belarus. Their firms acquire Western-produced equipment and supply it to Russian or Belarusian companies, institutions, and research organizations operating in strategic sectors.
Furthermore, some companies acted in the interests of Russian entities, attempting to equip them for the modernization of their armed forces and receiving funding from companies linked to the Russian military-industrial complex. The report also indicates Russian special services' involvement in organizing the import of sanctioned goods.
As the Russian strategic industry faces challenges due to sanctions, "it is very likely that Russian special services will intensify their efforts to procure and deliver necessary equipment, production, or technological innovations to Russia," the Lithuanian intelligence agencies speculate.
Instances were identified where sanction evasion schemes were organized by Russian nationals who have neither established nor conducted business in Lithuania but obtained residence permits. Typically acting as intermediaries, they attempt to establish connections with Lithuanian companies selling or manufacturing equipment needed by Russia.
The Lithuanian intelligence services' report also mentions that Russia possesses sufficient resources to continue its military activities in Ukraine with the current intensity for at least two more years. Meanwhile, Russia is preparing for a long-term confrontation with NATO, particularly in the Baltic Sea region, gradually expanding its military capabilities to the west.
Additionally, Darius Jauniškis, Director of the State Security Department of Lithuania, commenting on the threat of war, stated that there is no immediate cause for panic but emphasized the importance of "preparing for the worst."
