Europa Libera’s investigation revealed that three Moldovan companies sold airplane parts worth about $15 million to Russian airlines between 2022 and 2023.
The Council for the Promotion of Investment Projects, which includes several government members, has suspended the activities of three Moldovan companies, Europa Libera reports. These companies sell airplane parts to Russia despite European sanctions.
On August 7, Council members decided to apply the clause on change of control and suspension of activity to Airrock Solutions, Maxjet Service, and Aerostage Services.
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The minutes of the meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Dorin Recean, note that the companies are part of the field of activity related to “production, export, re-export, import of armaments, munitions and military equipment, products, technologies and services that can be used for the manufacture and use of nuclear, chemical, biological and missile weapons” (art. 4, lit. q of law 174/2021).
On June 12, the United States announced sanctions against the three companies. In January 2024, the USA stated that these companies had brokered sales of airplane parts to the Russian Federation of about $15 million in 2022 and 2023.
It was possible because Moldova did not join the anti-Russian aviation sanctions regime, which the European Union adopted in response to the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The EU said at the time that it was “concerned” by reports of sanctions circumvention and that the government in Chisinau should take action.