Bosch, a German multinational engineering and technology company, said on Friday, March 18, that it was suspending deliveries of truck parts to Russian customers following Ukrainian claims that its components were found in Russian military vehicles.
According to sources, the weekly news magazine reported that German authorities were investigating suspected export violations by Bosch, given that EU firms are prohibited from supplying Russia with “dual-use” equipment that can be used for both military and civilian purposes.
“Due to indications that Bosch components— contrary to local contractual agreements — may have been used in non-civilian applications, we have stopped the delivery of vehicle parts in Russia and to Russian customers,” Bosch stated in a statement.
On Sunday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told a talk show on a TV channel that Ukrainian troops recently seized Russian infantry vehicles that contained components made by Bosch.
In addition, Bosch said it was taking Kuleba’s allegations “very seriously” and has launched a “full inquiry” into the situation.
However, the Stuttgart-based firm stressed that it had not directly supplied any components to Russian military vehicle manufacturers.
According to Weekly news magazine, the economy ministry of Germany has asked the local prosecutors to look into the claims. The ministry told the sources that it did not comment on individual cases.
However, in general, it was emphasised that if the ministry got information regarding probable sanctions violations, it would notify the appropriate law enforcement agencies.
Furthermore, Russia has been hit with a storm of Western sanctions since it invaded Ukraine last month, wreaking havoc on global supply chains and prompting many foreign firms to curb production in the country.
Bosch announced that production at several of its operations in Russia, which produce both automotive parts and consumer goods, has been halted.
