Belarusian tableware factory supplies drones to russia in circumvention of sanctions

This is stated in an investigation by the Belarusian Investigation Centre (BIC) published on 4 December.

Journalists examined the company's customs documentation, according to which in 2022-2023, Santex supplied 309 drones from the Chinese company DJI to russia with a total value of $2 million.

The orders were received by the russian companies Santros and Rustakt, which have a common owner, Minsk native Pavel Nikitin.

In total, according to the BRC, between 2022 and 2025, 14 companies from Belarus sold more than 20,000 drones to russia with a total value of $34 million.

In addition, Rustakt made 135 payments to the Gomel plant totalling more than 14 billion roubles (more than $152 million) for equipment that is not described in any way.

Rustakt manufactures PVC-1 (BT-40 or Sudoplat) kamikaze drones for the Sudny Den project. Various electronic components are required to assemble them, which the russian authorities import in circumvention of sanctions.

According to Rustakt's financial report obtained by the BRC from a source, over three years, the company purchased 1.3 million lithium-ion batteries, 5.5 million spare parts for radio-controlled models, and nearly 3.5 million electric motors worth $90 million from three Chinese companies – enough to assemble 870,000 drones. Rustact spent $323 million on this.

In 2023-2024, the company received $1.12 billion under contracts with Russian military organisations, including military unit 45807. According to the publication, this unit is responsible for military security and financial support for the operations of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of russia (GRU).

Source: Radio Liberty, BIC