A startling investigation has uncovered a hidden network involving large shipments of high-tech measuring instruments that were originally meant for Kazakhstan. However, these advanced devices are being redirected to Russia, including to companies already facing international sanctions.

The story begins with Kazakhstan-based companies, like Askarlab, purchasing expensive electronics from leading Western manufacturers. These include equipment like oscilloscopes, satellite modems, and signal generators, all of which are essential for developing electronic warfare (EW) systems used by Russia’s military.

The equipment, made by famous companies like Rohde & Schwarz (Germany), Safran Data Systems (France), and Mini-Circuits (USA), is crucial in creating and enhancing Russia’s electronic warfare technology. This technology allows Russia to jam enemy signals, intercept communications, and gather intelligence, making it a key tool in military operations.

How the Equipment is Being Smuggled

The shipments, valued at millions of dollars, are going through Kazakhstan’s customs before reaching their final destination: Russia. While they are initially cleared in Kazakhstan, the goods often don’t stay there. Instead, they’re shipped to Russian companies, some of which have already been hit with sanctions.

For instance, a $2 million batch of equipment, including oscilloscopes, signal analyzers, and frequency filters, was imported by Askarlab into Kazakhstan. The gear was then redirected to companies like Infostera in Moscow, where it’s used in advanced electronic reconnaissance systems.

The shipment route is tracked through customs data, revealing a clear pattern: equipment declared in Kazakhstan’s Almaty airport later appears in Russia, often weeks later. One notable shipment involves a Rohde & Schwarz oscilloscope arriving in Kazakhstan in March 2024 and then being recorded in Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport just a few weeks later.

The Hidden Middlemen

Some companies in Kazakhstan act as intermediaries, bringing in the high-tech equipment before passing it on to Russia. For example, Askarlab buys satellite modems from Safran Data Systems in France and then ships them to Computer Services Ltd in Russia. Customs records show that these devices, which cost around $92,000 each, are sold for even more once they cross into Russia, where they are used in military operations.

One key component in these operations is the Keysight Technologies equipment. This includes signal generators and other tools, imported by companies like Dicosta Technologies in Kazakhstan, which then redirects the shipments to Russian firms like Panalem Technologies. These generators, valued at $20,000 each, are critical in helping Russia improve its electronic warfare capabilities.

A Web of Deceptive Trade

The investigation reveals that companies like Dicosta, Panalem Technologies, and Computer Services Ltd form part of a hidden network supplying advanced Western technology to Russia. Some of these companies have direct ties to firms that have been sanctioned by the United States. Notably, one Russian firm, Dipaul JSC, has been on the U.S. sanctions list since September 2023.

Documents and correspondence obtained by The Insider show that these companies are actively working to supply Russia with everything it needs for its military operations, including high-end measuring equipment that can be used in satellite reconnaissance and signals intelligence systems.

How Did This Happen?

It’s unclear why Kazakhstan is allowing these shipments to pass through its borders when many of the recipients are already under international sanctions. Customs officials in Kazakhstan seem to be either unaware of or turning a blind eye to the final destinations of these shipments.

Despite attempts to reach out to the companies involved, like Askarlab, Panalem Technologies, and Dicosta, no responses were received. The companies remain elusive, making it difficult to fully trace the entire operation.

What Does This Mean for Global Security?

This investigation raises serious questions about the role of Kazakhstan in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its connections to Russia. The redirection of high-tech Western equipment into Russia’s hands undermines the efforts of international sanctions and emboldens Russia’s military capabilities.

While Kazakhstan may be officially neutral, these shipments indicate a hidden side to its role in the current geopolitical struggle. Western companies that have unknowingly contributed to this trade may now face pressure to reconsider their exports, as they may inadvertently be helping to fuel Russia’s military advancements.

The Insider’s investigation into this complex network highlights how easily global trade routes can be exploited to bypass international controls, with serious consequences for international security.