Group Aiding Russian and Belarusian Military Industry with European Funds Uncovered in Lithuania; Belarusians Also Involved
The Lithuanian Financial Crime Investigation Service, together with the State Security Department, is investigating the activities of an organized group suspected of fraud with the aim of illegally obtaining financial assistance from the European Union and forging documents. The case is coordinated by the European Public Prosecutor's Office, Delfi.lt reports .
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According to investigative materials, the scheme involved companies registered in Lithuania but connected to the Russian and Belarusian military industry, which is under EU sanctions. It is believed that the group has already illegally obtained about half a million euros.
Suspicions have been brought against six individuals, including one legal entity; searches have been conducted.
It was revealed that citizens of Lithuania, Russia, and Belarus established high-tech enterprises in Lithuania, through which they received European funds, and then exported the manufactured products to Russia and Belarus. This includes microchips, semiconductors, navigation systems, and other technical devices.
To obtain funding, the suspects allegedly submitted false documents to the EU Agency for the Space Programme, planning a project worth over one million euros, a significant portion of which was to be covered by the EU. The company had already managed to receive part of these funds.
Investigators believe that the products exported from Lithuania could have been used in the Russian and Belarusian military industry, which violates legislation and poses a threat to the national security of Lithuania and the entire European Union. Members of the group had ties to enterprises that fell under EU sanctions.
In 2025, two Lithuanian companies connected to the case were officially recognized as a threat to EU security.
In December, a large-scale operation began: more than ten searches were carried out in various cities, suspects were detained, including one of the organizers — a Belarusian citizen with a residence permit in Lithuania. One person has been taken into custody, and two more foreigners are still being sought.
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