German equipment shipped to Russia for Uralkali through Uzbekistan at least 14 times in two years, Correctiv investigation finds

German equipment destined for the Russian company Uralkali, one of the world's largest fertilizer producers, was imported into Russia via Uzbekistan, according to an investigation by the independent German outlet Correctiv. EU sanctions prohibit the delivery of certain equipment to the company.

Since at least 2023, a small Uzbek firm called ETC U-STAN has been purchasing machinery produced by the German engineering company Köppern, including components for roller presses used in fertilizer granulation and crushing machines. As the investigation concluded, this equipment was then likely re-exported to Russia for use by Uralkali.

Reporters examining Uzbekistan’s customs database discovered 14 suspicious shipment records between November 2023 and May 2024. Each shipment — identical in weight, value, and even containing the same typographical errors in descriptions — was first imported into Uzbekistan and then sent on to Russia. The time gap between the two stages ranged from a few hours to several days.

Uralkali used the same scheme to obtain equipment made by other manufacturers, Correctiv reported. Representatives of two of those companies confirmed to the outlet that they had previously sold their products — which later ended up in Russia — to Köppern. They said Köppern had provided them with documentation claiming the equipment would be used in Uzbekistan.