Sweden purchases rare isotopes from Russian nuclear weapons manufacturer
Sweden has purchased rare isotopes from a manufacturer of nuclear ammunition in Russia (Photo: Getty Images)
The Russian plant Electrokhimpribor, which produces nuclear ammunition, sold rare isotopes to Sweden for scientific purposes, according to Expressen.
"The profitable side business of the nuclear weapons plant has increased after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and from February 2022 to March of this year, the plant exported isotopes worldwide for about half a billion kronor (47.5 million dollars)," the material reads.
The products are sold, among others, on an English-language website associated with the Swedish company Neonest AB.
The site doesn't indicate that the isotopes are Russian. On the contrary, it emphasizes the Swedish connection of the company. It is a participant in Sweden's government project, Big Science, established by the decision of the government and funded by the Swedish Innovation Agency (Vinnova) and the Swedish Research Council.
Ownership of the company
The Swedish company Neonest is owned by 44-year-old Petr Vasilyev from St. Petersburg. He confirms that the isotopes come from the Russian company Electrokhimpribor. However, he claims that he allegedly didn't know that the company manufactures nuclear weapons.
Exports to Sweden have been conducted since 2012 and are carried out by three different companies. Two of these companies were previously used by the Main Intelligence Directorate network of agents to deliver equipment to the Russian military. The founder of these companies was a suspect in the same investigation for some time, but all suspicions were dismissed.
In May and June of this year, isotopes worth over 5.5 million Swedish kronor (over 520 thousand dollars) were shipped to Sweden.
Electrokhimpribor
A Russian enterprise in the nuclear industry, a city-forming enterprise in the city of Lesnoy, the main activity of the enterprise is the production of nuclear ammunition.
Electrokhimpribor is part of the structure of Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation.
Sactions against Russia
The EU has already approved 11 packages of sanctions against Russia. Restrictions have been imposed, for example, on products that can be used in the production of equipment. In particular, individuals and legal entities responsible for the invasion of Ukraine and aiding the continuation of the war have been subjected to sanctions.
Currently, the EU plans to coordinate the 12th package of anti-Russian sanctions, which includes new lists of personal restrictions, as well as export sanctions, particularly regarding diamonds.
Recently, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Jovita Neliupšienė, stated that within the framework of the 12th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation, the European Union should provide responsibility for enterprises from the EU for moving their goods and, for some, control of financial flows outside the bloc.
