Poland has imposed autonomous sanctions, in addition to EU measures, on STEELTRADE Sp. z o.o. – formerly EMK Group – and OMNI GRP Sp. z o.o. This is for indirectly supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine through exports and re-exports of metal and steel products banned under EU sanctions.
Poland’s National Revenue Administration reports that STEELTRADE and OMNI GRP exported steel sheet, plate, and flat-rolled products made of alloyed and non-alloyed steel or cast iron, including DILLIDUR high-strength abrasion-resistant sheets. The firms may also have exported Uddeholm Dievar steel, a premium-grade alloy valued for its exceptional strength, lightness, and durability, widely used in defecse manufacturing. Authorities therefore presume these materials were destined for Russian defence factories, indirectly supporting the country’s military industry.
STEELTRADE, registered in 2019 and controlled by Belarusian citizen Uladzimir Liashchuk, exported nearly PLN 30 million ($8.25m) worth of steel to Russia in 2021-22, later redirecting over PLN 110m to Kazakhstan and then to a Hong Kong intermediary re-exporting to Russia, according to Polish authorities. Over 200 shipments reportedly ended up in Russia.
OMNI GRP, founded in 2022 and led by Andrei Karpovich with Liashchuk and Veranika Pental, carried out similar exports to Turkey, China, and Kazakhstan, with intermediaries supplying Russia.
The sanctions, announced on 7 October, aim to curb Russia’s industrial potential and limit its access to critical steel inputs, Kallanish notes.
Elina Virchenko UAE
