The Serbian sanctioned firm exported parts of aircraft to Russia, including from the US

The Serbian company Sprocure, which was included on May 14, in the 17th package of European Union (EU) sanctions on Russia, transported 170 shipments within a year and a half.

Research of Radio Free Europe (REL) on customs data shows that the value of these deliveries from mid -2022 until the end of 2023 exceeded $ 9.7 million.

According to the Import Genius database, Russia has been part of aircraft under a separate regime of sanctions since the beginning of Russian aggression against Ukraine in February 2022.

The new package of sanctions on Russia, which is expected to be adopted on May 20, also includes companies from third countries that indirectly help Russia’s military and technological progress, avoiding sanctions.

Sprocure was founded in August 2022, six months after the start of the Russian occupation of Ukraine, with activities declared as « mediation in the sale of various products ».

Initially, the owner and director was Serbian citizen Zinete Mehmeti, but in early 2024, when the US State Department began sanctioning companies from Serbia, ownership changed.

The new owner and director became Turkish citizen Erdal Iihan.

On the official website, Sprocure is presented as an international distributor of parts for the aviation industry, with the aim of providing repair and logistics management.

According to the latest financial report, the company generated $ 1.4 million in 2024, while in 2023 these were $ 2.5 million.

REL has analyzed all the exports that Sprocure has made to Russia in the first 18 months of activity.

Sietlli and Miami, starting some shipments to Russia

Customs records show that from September 2022 to the end of 2023, goods worth about $ 2 million were exported from the United States of America to Russia, mainly through Turkey. Departure points were often the American cities of Sieta and Miami.

In Sieta is also the headquarters of the Boeing aviation giant. Customs records show that $ 110,000 was marked by the company.

In a response to the REL on May 15, 2024, Boeing said he respects all regulations and does not export goods to Russia.

« In March 2022 we discontinued all major operations in Russia, including parts distribution, maintenance and technical support to clients, » the response reads.

Another large manufacturer of aircraft equipment, whose products were exported to Russia through Sprocure, is the American company Honeywell, based in Arizona. The company supplies about 90 percent of aircraft and 80 percent of the world’s satellites.

The value of the products of this company that ended in Russia is over $ 400,000.

Honeywell confirmed to the REL that since 2022 he has stopped activity in Russia and Belarus, fully observing the sanctions and laws on exports.

« Since then we have not distributed any equipment, part or product in Russia, and we are actively working to prevent any opportunities for the deviation of our products to Russia through third parties, » the response said.

REL has also requested information from the US customs and border service, but the request for more detailed data was rejected.

There is no brand data for goods worth over $ 7 million, while goods worth $ 5 million are not known. For $ 2 million is American origin, while for $ 1.5 million the origin declared is Serbia.

Sprocure has not answered Rel’s questions after being included in the EU blacklist.

Who are the main beneficiaries of shipments through sprouts to Russia?

From the Russian side, the largest beneficiary of shipments made through the Sprocure Company was the S7 Engineering company, which received goods worth $ 2 million.

Siberia Airlines Airlines Airlines Branch.

This company has also signed contracts with the Russian state institution, the Escadron of Russia’s Special Aviation, operating within the Office of the President of the Russian Federation.

About $ 5 million goods were sent to Jetica LLC, which according to the data at the Russian Spark base is registered as a company operating in the field of air transport.

Radio Free Europe had previously reported on Sprocure activities in November 2023, in a research on the millions of Serbian companies by avoiding sanctions on Russia.

It found that accessories and parts of Western production aircraft were exported to Russia through springs from Belgrade.

Shipments included oils for aircraft engines, tires, sound and visual signaling equipment, batteries and accumulators.

At that time, owner Zinete Mehmeti did not answer Rel’s questions.

Sprocure is the fourth company from Serbia that is on the EU’s black list of sanctions on Russia, after Conex, Kominvex and Soha Info./rel/