Corriere: Italy proved to be an important supplier of epoxy resins for Iskanders
Photo: EPA

In 2024, Russia received at least 232 tons of liquid epoxy resins from Italy, according to the Economic Security Council of Ukraine (ESC) reported italian edition of Corriere della Sera.

This raw material, which Russia covers by only 1.5% on its own, is needed to produce carbon fiber bodies for Iskander-M ballistic missiles.

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Customs data show that China was the largest supplier of liquid epoxy resins to Russia last year, accounting for 42% of imports. Italy was second, accounting for 21% of imports of this material to Russia.

The only Italian supplier of epoxy resins to the Russian Federation is the chemical company Sir Industriale S.p.A. from Mario in Brianza (Lombardy).

There were 18 deliveries of low-molecular-weight liquid epoxy resins to Sir Industriale S.p.A. from Lombardy, which have HS code 3907300009 and can be used in military production. Some of the transactions were carried out through the Polish company Kamex Magazyn, which, according to analysts, may indicate an intention to conceal the final recipient.

Sir Industriale claims that their products are intended for civilian use only: coating canned tuna, preserves or steel products, etc.

However, the list of Russian importers suggests that this is not the case. All of them – Uralprotect, YAZPK (Yaroslavl Powder Paints Plant), and Prime Top – are connected to the design bureau in Kolomna, Moscow Region, which is responsible for developing the missile for the Iskander-M system.

At the request of Corriere della Sera, Sir Industriale CEO Marco Bencini replied that the company did not violate the law, as the export of epoxy resins to Russia was not subject to EU sanctions until July 2025.

Olena Yurchenko, a representative of the Security Council of Ukraine, added that none of the Russian companies involved in the production of Iskander-M has been subject to EU sanctions.

"European exporters have the opportunity to check their clients' ties to the Russian military industry – and they should do so," she emphasized.

  • The Economic Security Council of Ukraine is an independent organization that has been operating since 2021. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, it has been researching the methods of warfare of Russia and its allies, in particular in the armed, economic, political and cyber dimensions. REB cooperates with governments, international and national think tanks and organizations.
  • Earlier, the Economic Security Council of Ukraine discovered supplying 300 tons of Belgian stibium oxide under sanctions to Russia for more than EUR 4.5 million, as well as critical dependence The Russian Federation is also dependent on imported sodium chlorate, which is also needed for the production of Iskander-M ballistic missiles.