Reuters reveals role of Russian billionaires in war against Ukraine

A Reuters analysis of the data shows that chemical plants partially or fully controlled by Russian billionaires Roman Abramovich, Vagit Alekperov, Dmitry Mazepin, Andrey Melnichenko, and Iskander Makhmudov supplied more than 75% of key chemicals to enterprises that manufacture explosives for the Russian army.

These supplies were reportedly made from the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine until September 2024.

Here are the main facts from the journalists' investigation:

• Chemical dependence: five chemical companies linked to Russian billionaires produce RDX and HMX, components for artillery shells and missiles.
• Billionaires are under sanctions, but not their companies: although the West has imposed restrictions on Russia's wealthy, their companies continue to supply.
• Civilian cover: companies declare that they supply only so-called civilian products, but railroad transportation data and tax invoices show that the products are used for military purposes.

For example, the Eurochem and Uralchem plants associated with Melnychenko and Mazepin supplied nitric and acetic acids used in explosives.

At the same time, Alekperov's and Abramovich's companies supplied toluene, a component for TNT.

Anna Nagurni, an expert on logistics networks, emphasizes that the Russian civilian chemical industry has become a critical component of the Kremlin's military efforts.

Recently, a Russian general responsible for the use of chemical weapons against the Ukrainian Armed Forces was exposed in Ukraine. Soon after, he died as a result of an explosion.

Russian occupiers used chemical attacks against the Ukrainian military. Unfortunately, since the beginning of the full-scale war, Russia has poisoned more than 2,000 Ukrainian defenders.