A Finnish company based in North Karelia is at the center of a large-scale criminal investigation over the export of sanctioned electronics to Russia, as reported by Yle.
According to Finnish Customs, the company exported components worth €2.7 million to Russia in 2022–2023, including semiconductors, microchips, processors, and connectors—items that can be used in Russia's defense industry.
Lead investigator Sanna Kuparinen noted that these components may have contributed to the Kremlin’s war efforts in Ukraine.
Notably, before the full-scale invasion, the company did not engage in foreign trade, operating instead in tourism and wood processing. But during wartime, it shifted to trading high-tech components, purchasing them from the U.S., EU, and China, and reselling them to companies registered in the EU and Hong Kong. Some of the shipments were then diverted to Russia, either via Finland or directly, mostly through the Vaalimaa border crossing.
Authorities suspect the operation was coordinated from Russia. Two main suspects are involved:
- One lives in Russia
- The other has dual citizenship (Finland and Russia) and has been interrogated multiple times.
The alleged ringleader in Russia has not been questioned, but investigators believe he controlled the Finnish company remotely.
Kuparinen stated that key instructions were relayed by his son, who is an officer in the Russian army.
During a search, authorities found a photo of the son in uniform, and he had listed the address of a Russian military academy when opening a bank account in Finland.
Searches were carried out in North Karelia, though the company’s exact name and location have not been disclosed. It is known that the company is still operating.
The case is being treated as a serious administrative offense and major tax fraud. Once the preliminary investigation concludes, the materials will be forwarded to the Eastern Finland Prosecutor’s Office to decide on potential charges.
