An in-depth look at a covert Russian operation to get dual-use specialist microchips, which are protected by EU export controls, into the hands of the state
A rare look inside a covert Russian-led operation to get strategic technology protected by European export controls into the hands of the state
Financial Times
Discussion
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@dcuthbert
Daniel Cuthbert
on x
One wonders what controls or checks are performed on the illicit goods when they land, given the rise of fake ICs and other components or potentially modified and slipped into the supply chain.
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@maxseddon
Max Seddon
on x
France shut down Ommic this year and sold off its assets to a US chipmaker. But Istok — and Ermakov — are still active. Since the invasion of Ukraine, Istok has produced novel equipment for the Russian military - and used branches of the Ermakov network to source supplies. [image…
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@maxseddon
Max Seddon
on x
“It didn't start with Ukraine. Russian intelligence plays a huge role in getting this sort of technology. They always have. This is what the Russians do.” Inside a Russian operation to smuggle microchips for Putin's war machine. With @xtophercook https://www.ft.com/...
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@maxseddon
Max Seddon
on x
As their yacht bobbed on the Mediterranean, the microchip executive snapped a picture of his Russian partner asleep on the deck. He only knew the Russian by his first name, Maxim. But he knew Maxim was using a shadowy network to get the chips for the Russian defense industry. [im…
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@maxseddon
Max Seddon
on x
Today, Ommic has closed and Rocchi is awaiting trial in France, having been indicted in March. He denies charges of sending secrets to a foreign power that could harm the national interest, exporting dual-use goods to Russia, and submitting false documents. [image]
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@elinaribakova
Elina Ribakova
on x
3/ Russia's war on Ukriane is as much a technological war as it is reminiscent of the WWI. Chips are important for all of the battlefield items below. [image]
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@maxseddon
Max Seddon
on x
Rocchi knew his ultimate customer was NPP Istok, which makes electronic warfare systems for the Russian military. Specialist microchips like Ommic's high-performance gallium nitride and gallium arsenide-integrated circuit boards are vital to defense manufacturers like Istok. [ima…
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@xtophercook
Chris Cook
on x
.@maxseddon & I have written a profile on a Russian chip-smuggling ring working through France, Ireland and UAE centred on one man, Maxim Ermakov. Who he? Well, there are a few clues that he's maybe not *just* a businessman. https://www.ft.com/...
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@elinaribakova
Elina Ribakova
on x
1/ Brilliant piece of Investigagive reporting on provision of Western-made chips to Russia's military.
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@maxseddon
Max Seddon
on x
Russia can't make advanced chips on the level of the west and Asia's. “It would be simply too expensive to produce it domestically and it would be militarily inconceivable to go without it,” says @crmiller1. Instead, the Kremlin's intelligence services smuggle them into Russia. […
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@alenapopova
Alena Popova
on x
Many Western companies continue to supply dual-use tech to Russia. They are well aware that the tech they supply is then used in Russian weaponry, but revenue is more important to them than ethics and the risks associated with circumventing sanctions. https://www.ft.com/...
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@xtophercook
Chris Cook
on x
By me and @maxseddon: I think this is a pretty novel insight into the war. We've pieced together how a Russian smuggling network moved stuff from Western Europe for the war effort, but also how the architect in the middle pulled together the network. https://www.ft.com/...
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r/UkrainianConflict
r
on reddit
The shadowy network smuggling European microchips into Russia
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r/europe
r
on reddit
The shadowy network smuggling European microchips into Russia - A rare look inside a covert Russian-led operation to get strategic technology protected …