Russia Utilizes Western Technologies to Protect Nuclear Submarines 0 9

Russia is using high-tech sensors of Western manufacture to identify enemy submarines and protect its own submarine fleet. This was reported by the German weekly Der Spiegel on Tuesday, October 28. The same information was previously disseminated by The Washington Post (WP).

The latter found out, in particular, that Moscow is creating a network of such sensors in the Barents Sea. The investigation is based on recently disclosed financial reports, court documents, and data from anonymous sources in Western security services.

Russia's Access to Sensitive Technologies Circumventing Sanctions

Russia has apparently managed to circumvent sanctions through shell companies to gain access to sensitive hydroacoustic systems, an underwater drone capable of operating at a depth of 3,000 meters, and complex underwater antennas, the publication states. The tasks of installing equipment for the Russian armed forces were reportedly carried out by a "fleet" of vessels posing as commercial or research ships, according to statements from officials and documents, WP writes.

What is the "Harmony" Project

The project to create an invisible reconnaissance network called "Harmony" in the Barents Sea and other waters where Russian submarines carrying intercontinental ballistic missiles operate, which could be activated in the event of a nuclear conflict with the U.S., was planned for several years, journalists indicate, citing court documents in Germany, as well as data from experts and representatives of security services in the U.S. and other Western countries.

The technologies for creating the "Harmony" network were obtained by Russia from suppliers in the U.S. and Europe, the journalistic investigation states. Thus, the company Mostrello Commercial Ltd., headquartered in Cyprus, which is an EU member, played a key role in the procurement network for the project, according to WP. According to court documents and other materials, this was a shell company that fulfilled orders for Russia's military-industrial complex, responsible for procuring sensitive equipment worth tens of millions of dollars. Equipment ordered through Mostrello was first delivered to Germany, which increased the trust of sellers.

Procurement of Equipment for the Russian Defense Industry

The role of Mostrello in the project was revealed during a trial this year in Germany against Alexander Shnyakin, a Kyrgyzstan native residing in Germany, accused of coordinating purchases for this firm in violation of German trade laws.

After German authorities conducted raids on facilities linked to the network of companies working for Russia's defense complex last year and arrested one of the main suspects, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced sanctions against Mostrello and other companies linked to the Russian government or armed forces.

Next to Mostrello's Office - Burisma's Office

According to a photo released by WP, the same building in Cyprus where Mostrello's headquarters is registered also houses the office of a company called Burisma. This was the name of the Ukrainian energy company that Hunter Biden, the son of Vice President and later President Joe Biden, served on the board of directors.

According to experts and representatives of Western naval forces, the fact that Western governments and companies failed to prevent Russia from obtaining such sensitive maritime technologies undermined the security of the U.S. and its NATO allies.