“The EU’s sanctions approach systematically leaves blind spots. The current reliance on so-called ‘targeted’ sanctions means that restrictions apply only to specific products and specific companies. This approach inevitably leaves out companies and goods with dual-use potential that are not explicitly listed,” said Roman Steblivskyi, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Economic Security Council of Ukraine (ESCU) for The Kyiv Independent.
According to the publication's investigation, Russian private companies linked to the military-industrial complex continue to import large quantities of natural glycerin and other chemicals from the EU through a network of intermediaries in Latvia, Germany, and other countries. Glycerin is a raw material for nitroglycerin, which is used in the production of gunpowder and explosives for ammunition, while natural glycerin itself is not yet subject to a complete ban under EU sanctions.
For more details on the network of suppliers and loopholes in the sanctions, see The Kyiv Independent's investigation.