Switzerland is investigating information about the transfer of its ammunition to Ukraine – Kommersant

The Swiss Ministry of Economy is conducting an investigation following media reports that Swiss ammunition was sent to Ukraine through a Polish company, reports RTS. Swiss authorities do not allow countries to which they sell weapons to re-export them to other countries without written permission.

The inspection began after the publication of a Swiss newspaper NZZwho referred to the material

publications Defense One, published in early November. According to it, ammunition produced by SwissP Defense was re-exported to Ukraine by the Polish private company UMO SP. In total, Kyiv could receive at least 645 thousand cartridges for sniper rifles. NZZ notes that private companies do not need to sign a re-export declaration.

The Polish company claims that it did not notice “any alarming information or violations of procedures in the case described in the press.” UMO SP added that all its international contracts are “carried out carefully, in accordance with certification procedures and compliance rules” and are subject to government review.

In March, the Swiss Parliament suspended consideration of a proposal to allow European countries to supply Ukraine with weapons and ammunition produced in the country. In May, the relevant commission considered re-export possible subject to a number of conditions, but in the end the parliament rejected the initiative in September. Switzerland is also investigating the attempted sale of Leopard tanks to Ukraine. In particular, the general director of the Swiss state military-industrial holding Ruag MRO Holding, Brigitte Beck, sought permission to re-export, but after the authorities’ decision she resigned.

Details are in the Kommersant article “Brought the language to Kyiv.”

Laura Keffer