The Dutch military intelligence service has warned companies in the country that Moscow is trying to obtain high-tech components for the war in Ukraine through shell companies, local media reported on Friday.
Jan Swillens, who is in charge of this intelligence service (MIVD), responded to the “Financieele Dagblad” (FD) newspaper on the matter, and the Ministry of Defense confirmed the situation, according to Dutch news agency ANP and public television NOS.
According to Swillens, the Russian secret service has created dozens of companies operating in the Netherlands “Shell companies“To avoid Western sanctions.
These companies buy Dutch technology, which they then import to Russia for military use, he warned.
This type of practice has existed since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, “but it is increasing significantly with the war in Ukraine,” he told FD.
The Netherlands has several companies that stand out in the semiconductor and microchip industry, such as NXP and ASML.
“The tougher the sanctions, the more difficult it is for the Russian secret services and the more inventive they have to be to circumvent the sanctions,” ANP quoted a defense spokesman as underlining.
In these cases, he added, it is “difficult” to understand that entrepreneurs are indirectly doing business with Russia.
The MIVD urges companies to conduct more in-depth research on their customers and obtain information on the actual end users of their products, Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported.
The military offensive launched by Russia in Ukraine on February 24 has already displaced more than 13 million people – more than six million internally displaced people and more than 7.7 million to European countries – according to the latest data, the UN. The refugee crisis is the worst in Europe since World War II (1939-1945).
Jean Rhys is a contributor to OE Mag, covering news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on clear, accurate reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current affairs and developments that matter to them. Her work highlights relevant stories, emerging trends, and key issues, presenting them in a balanced, accessible, and reader-friendly way.