Swedish SKF products revealed in Russian war industry
An investigation by Aftonbladet and SVT reveals that products from Swedish ball bearing maker SKF have ended up in Russia's war industry worth hundreds of millions of kronor despite sanctions. SKF states they comply with all rules but take the issue very seriously. The probe points to deliveries since 2022.
The Swedish industrial group SKF, one of the world's leading ball bearing manufacturers, has according to a joint investigation by Aftonbladet and SVT supplied products that ultimately ended up in Russian military equipment. The probe, based on customs documents and company registers, shows the value of these products exceeds 500 million kronor since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The products, mainly ball bearings, have been used in Russian tanks and military vehicles.
SKF's CEO Rickard Gustafson comments in Aftonbladet: 'We strictly follow all sanctions and export rules. We have no direct business with the Russian defense industry.' The company states they are now investigating the matter and take it very seriously, referring to an earlier article where they promise to review the supply chain. According to the investigation, SKF sold components to third parties in countries like Turkey and China, which were then forwarded to Russia.
The background is EU and US sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which prohibit exports of dual-use goods to military purposes. Despite this, Russia's war industry has circumvented restrictions via detours. Aftonbladet reports that SKF's exports to non-sanctioned countries have increased, but the company denies knowledge of the final destination.
The investigation is based on data from Russian customs authorities and international trade registers. No direct contradictions emerge between the sources, but SKF emphasizes their unawareness of the end-use. Experts quoted in the report warn that such supply chains undermine the effectiveness of sanctions. SKF, headquartered in Gothenburg, is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange and has global operations.