Mail Routes and Logistics Hubs Used to Bypass Controls
An investigation by German newspaper Bild has uncovered that Russia is evading European Union sanctions by sending banned goods through a Berlin logistics hub. Test shipments fitted with GPS trackers passed through a warehouse near Berlin Brandenburg Airport and were then forwarded via Poland and Belarus to Moscow without interception.
The operation reportedly uses shipping labels from Uzbekistan’s state postal service, despite Germany not authorizing the service to operate locally. International mail faces lighter inspections than regular exports, allowing high volumes of goods to move under simplified customs procedures. The system is believed to be run by Dimitri V., former director of RusPost GmbH, the German branch of Russia’s state postal service. A customs search in August 2024 found no evidence to prosecute.
Ukraine Calls for Stricter Enforcement
Ukraine’s presidential envoy for sanctions policy, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, said the findings were unsurprising and criticized European authorities for not doing enough. He called for tougher financial sanctions, preventing Western components from reaching Russia, and stronger action against the country’s shadow fleet.
Vlasiuk highlighted that many Western components were traced in Russia’s Shahed drone attacks and that cryptocurrencies and other alternative payments are helping Moscow bypass restrictions. He argued that stronger sanctions would send a clearer signal, noting that Russia’s economy is under strain but current pressure is insufficient.
Shadow Fleet Still Flouts Sanctions
Russia’s so-called shadow fleet remains a key challenge. Many tankers continue transporting oil despite EU sanctions, often operating under flags of convenience or unclear registrations, which allow them to avoid regulatory scrutiny. Approximately 70% of the 600+ sanctioned vessels are still active, according to Vlasiuk.
Recently, France seized the tanker Grinch in the western Mediterranean for sailing under a false flag. On 26 January, Germany and 13 other EU states warned that vessels in the Baltic and North Sea sailing under multiple or false flags would be treated as stateless. Only ships with valid documents, proper communication, and compliance with safety regulations will be allowed, though penalties and enforcement measures remain undefined.
