Georgia plays a significant role in supplying the Russian military despite international sanctions, according to iFact (a partner of OCCRP). Since December 2022, the export of drones, computer components, GPS devices, and memory cards to Russia has been banned, but these items still enter the country through Georgia.
Transport companies falsify documents and supply sanctioned equipment through third countries.
Journalists contacted the transport company Kairos Logistics, claiming they wanted to transport 30 drones from Tbilisi to Samara. The operator assured that the cargo would be delivered through Azerbaijan or Iran. The cost of delivery was significantly higher than the market rate—500,000 rubles—which might indicate the use of bribes.
A representative of Kairos Logistics, operating under the legal name LLC "Service Multi-M," openly admitted that the company falsifies documents about the cargo's origin to bypass sanctions. The company was registered in Moscow in 2018. Its social media states that it has extensive experience in supplying sanctioned goods through Turkey and Azerbaijan.
The freight carrier Cargo Rapido agreed to unofficially supply 60 Intel processors and 30 HDD memory cards to Russia—without export declarations—for an "insurance" fee of 10 percent of the cost.
Journalists have identified a significant increase in the export of dual-use goods from Georgia to neighboring countries and Central Asia.
From Georgia to neighboring countries and Central Asia, the following types of dual-use goods are supplied:
- Radio Navigation Equipment: Exports surged by 213% in 2023, totaling $304,520. These devices, which can be used for GPS navigation, have been found in downed Russian aircraft in Ukraine.
- Integrated Circuits: Georgia exported $261,580 worth of these components in 2023, a 36% increase from 2021. These circuits are critical for military equipment.
- Digital Data Processing Blocks: Armenia received $3 million worth of these items from Georgia in 2023, a dramatic increase from previous years. These blocks are essential for modern digital electronics used in military applications.
- Sound/Image Receiving and Transmitting Equipment: Exports to countries like Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan increased by 34%, with these nations acting as intermediaries to Russia.
Georgian Revenue Service Claims Increased Control Over Shipments
Exporting dual-use goods from Georgia requires permission from the Revenue Service. However, the law is enforced inconsistently, and sanctioned goods still leave the country. The Georgian Revenue Service claims to have tightened control, but journalists' findings and official statistics suggest otherwise.
Journalists approached the Revenue Service with questions. The request for an interview was declined, and only a written statement was provided, lacking details on how the issue is being addressed.
International Oversight and Recommendations
The U.S. Department of State and the European Union have identified Georgia as a key player in evading sanctions and recommended taking measures similar to those adopted by Lithuania: implementing additional sanctions and tightening export restrictions to prevent sanctioned goods from reaching Russia.
For a more in-depth look at the investigation and detailed data, visit full article.
