Russia Ignores EU Sanctions and Purchases Stibium Oxide in Belgium for Military Uses

Chas Pravdy - 14 August 2025 13:41

According to Belgian publication De Morgen, an independent investigation by the Ukrainian Security and Economic Safety Council (РЕБ) revealed that during 2024, Russia officially imported at least 300 tons of highly restricted stibium trioxide from Belgium.

Despite EU sanctions, this substance was transferred into Russia via transit countries such as Turkey, Belarus, and Uzbekistan, and supplied for military purposes.

Journalists established that the main seller was the Belgian company Campine NV, with the Russian firm VitAchem as the primary recipient.

This company maintains direct contracts with producers of ammunition and military components in Russia.

After publishing these findings, Campine conducted an internal audit and uncovered that in May 2024, Uzbek-based Market Data Group, owned by a Russian citizen, placed an order for 80 tons of stibium trioxide.

Correspondence connected to this order also mentioned VitAchem.

All transactions were made through a distributor.

In July 2024, company officials introduced strict measures, including prohibiting exports to Russia and Belarus, and requiring clients to report any resales.

Ukraine’s security expert emphasized the need for independent investigations by Belgian authorities and increased customs oversight.

The Council also urged the EU to include VitAchem in future sanctions packages.

Experts warn that Russia’s reliance on imported critical components like sodium chlorate, essential for the production of Iskander-M missile systems, poses significant security concerns, especially amidst ongoing sanctions circumvention.

Source