They revealed the German company's connections with Russia. It has to deliver an important product
Despite economic sanctions, Russia still uses supply chains for products from Europe. In the case of the Russian Delfin Group, which was examined by the Kyiv Independent, it concerns chemicals that can be used in the defense industry, including: glycerin. Journalists discovered companies cooperating with this group, operating, among others, on the territory of Germany and Latvia. The German company is based in Berlin.
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Suspicious connections between a German company and Russia
Glycerin is a substance associated mainly with cosmetics and the food industry. However, it can also be used to produce explosives (including nitroglycerin), which is why it is desirable in the arms industry. According to the Kyiv Independent, “glycerin can still enter Russia with limited controls and limited transparency regarding its end-use military use.” The traces lead, among others, to: to one of the companies based in Berlin.
According to the findings, the Russian Delfin Group – a producer of petrochemicals – manages an extensive network of material supplies from Europe. One of the companies cooperating with her was allegedly registered in Berlin under the address of a former agent of Russian military intelligence, Oleg Eremenko, who was subject to sanctions a year ago. This is the company BLW Handel, which acts as a logistics partner, organizing shipments of glycerin, greases and engine oils from manufacturers to Russian companies.
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According to the arrangements, the Berlin company has been headed by Jelena Rjabaja since 2019, and since April 2025 – four months after the imposition of EU sanctions on Eremenko – BLW Handel is registered at a new address. During a visit to the new place, journalists did not find it however, there are signs that the company operates there.
Under Rjabaja's leadership, BLW Handel was to continue trading with Russia. From March 2023 to mid-2024 – according to customs documents – it exported almost 1.5 thousand. tons of technical glycerin. Kyiv Independent reached out to Jelena Rjabaja for comment, providing additional clarification regarding her role in the matter at her request. She has not commented yet.
