Smuggler group found with helicopter spare parts for Mi-8 and Mi-17 models by FSB
In a significant move, the Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia has successfully thwarted an illegal attempt to export components for Russian-made Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters, worth over 400 million rubles. The smuggling group, consisting of six individuals - citizens of Russia, Ukraine, and the Middle East - had purchased the parts from manufacturing enterprises or operating companies on behalf of foreign organizations.
The criminal case in Moscow, opened in April 2025, revolves around the supply of Chinese tools, disguised as European ones, to the Voronezh Aircraft Production Association. Investigations revealed that "Baumgroup," the supplier, began using false French company markings after sanctions were imposed. However, this case does not appear to be directly related to the previous case of the attempted smuggling of components for Russian-made helicopters.
The FSB's role in thwarting illegal exports of Russian helicopter components is not extensively documented. The FSB is likely involved in identifying and preventing such activities, given its role in counterintelligence and security operations. The FSB might also cooperate with international partners to address sanctions evasion and illegal trade, although specific instances are not explicitly mentioned.
In 2024, the FSB thwarted the activities of multiple international criminal groups, composed of Ukrainian and Western state citizens, involved in illegal supplies of aviation components to the Ukrainian side. The total damage prevented by the FSB from the illegal export of aircraft parts for the Ukrainian Armed Forces amounts to over 1 billion rubles, as reported by "RIA Novosti."
FSB experts believe that the seized parts were intended for at least four helicopters. The maximum penalty for this offense is imprisonment for a term of three to seven years. The details about the individuals involved in the cases mentioned in the article are not provided.
This incident underscores the importance of the FSB's role in maintaining national security and enforcing laws related to military exports. Despite the lack of specific information about the FSB's activities in preventing illegal exports of Russian helicopter components, especially in the context of Ukraine and China, it is clear that the FSB plays a crucial role in safeguarding Russia's military technology.
- The FSB might also expand its cooperation with international partners to address war-and-conflicts involving illegal trade, considering their strategies to prevent Sanctions evasion, as seen in the thwarted activities of Ukrainian and Western state citizens involved in the illegal supply of aviation components.
- The general-news landscape is abuzz with the role of the FSB in politics, not only in maintaining national security but also in countering crimes such as the new war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice cases involving the illegal export of military components, as evident in the thwarted attempts to export Russian-made helicopter parts to foreign organizations.
