2024-04-05 15:50:57
Two German construction companies participate in the construction sites started by the Russian authorities in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, largely destroyed during its conquest by Moscow in the spring of 2022, according to an investigation by German media.
The Knauf group, presented as the world leader in the production of plasterboard, and the company WKB Systems, which produces cellular concrete, supply materials to the shipyards, according to an investigation by Monitor magazine scheduled for Thursday night on public television ARD.
The daily says it has analyzed numerous images of shipyards where Knauf logos appear and detailed activity reports, which attest to the manufacturer’s activity in this port city located in eastern Ukraine, a target of Russian forces and local Russophone separatists on the first day of the invasion. on February 24, 2022, and which fell under its control after more than two months of siege, with thousands of deaths and almost total destruction.
The magazine also mentions “an official Knauf distributor who promotes a housing real estate project in Mariupol, built with Knauf products on behalf of the Russian Ministry of Defense”.
Products from the company WKB Systems, whose main shareholder is Russian businessman Viktor Budarin, were also identified at the Mariupol shipyards, according to the magazine.
Knauf Group claims to “respect all sanctions”
In statements to the AFP news agency, the Knauf group claims to “respect all EU, United Kingdom and United States sanctions against Russia”.
The new “Putinists”
The Bavarian group, present in Russia in 14 production zones and 4,000 workers, explains that it “decided to remain in the Russian market until further notice”, citing “its responsibility” towards local employees.
Numerous Western companies, including important German groups, ended, or sometimes gave up, their activities in Russia after the invasion of Ukraine.
After the conquest of Mariupol, Russia presented a plan to rebuild the city, which had more than 400,000 inhabitants before the military offensive.
German MNE: “alleged ‘reconstruction’ only serves Russian propaganda”
The “alleged ‘reconstruction’ only serves Russian propaganda”, the German Foreign Ministry told AFP, when questioned about the alleged participation of German companies in the shipyards.
“Any company that participates must know what service it is involved in,” the ministry added.
The German Ministry of Economy told AFP that “the competent investigation authorities [Polícia Judiciária das Alfândegas, Ministério Público] they must quickly clarify the facts and determine whether there is a violation of sanctions.”
2024-04-05 15:50:57