Sanctions on Russia, former Ukrainian deputy minister on trial in Spain: 'network to supply Moscow's military industry'
Kostiantyn Antonovich Kucher and his wife allegedly used a Spanish company and a network of screen companies to buy aircraft components in Europe and Ukraine and circumvent EU bans. The investigation also uncovered three engines blocked in Germany and contacts with companies linked to United Aircraft Corporation
Key points
The Spanish judiciary brings to trial a former Ukrainian deputy minister of the Yanukovich era, accused of having built a clandestine supply chain to supply Russian defence with aeronautical components purchased between the European Union and Ukraine. According to the prosecution, the operation would have made it possible to circumvent EU sanctions against Russia introduced after Crimea in 2014 and strengthened with the 2022 war. The case involves Kostiantyn Antonovich Kucher and his wife Olga V., who are believed to be the promoters of the network.
The company in Spain and the shipment stopped in Germany
For the investigators, the base of operations would have been the Spanish company Aero Design System, which was used to purchase components for Russian companies. Screen companies, including Global Force Technology, registered in Azerbaijan, were also used to pass customs controls. The investigation gained momentum after German customs blocked a shipment of three Red A03-102 engines destined for the Spanish company: each engine was worth over 240,000 euro and, according to investigators, could be used in drones or military aircraft.
The contacts with Russian industry and the allegations
The investigation then reconstructed business relations with companies linked to United Aircraft Corporation, the Russian aviation giant. Among the names mentioned is Irkut, which is on the European sanctions list. Within this framework, the Spanish company is alleged to have played the role of intermediary in supplying the Russian military industry. Kucher is detained in Azerbaijan and awaits possible extradition to Spain, while his wife has been in custody since 2023 after being arrested in Hondarribia, Basque Country. For both, the charges include smuggling of military material, illegal storage of weapons of war, money laundering and other offences.
