An investigation by The Irish Times and the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project revealed that the Russian-owned Aughinish Alumina plant in Ireland’s County Limerick supplies vast amounts of alumina to Russian aluminium smelters, and these smelters in turn supply aluminium to a Moscow-based trading company which supplies Russia’s military industry.
The next round of EU sanctions is due to be approved on 15 July 2026.
European Greens Co-chair Ciarán Cuffe said: “It is becoming clearer that material produced in Ireland is part of Russia’s war machine in Ukraine. This is unacceptable and we are calling on the European Commission to take action and sanction all exports of material to Russia that can be used for the manufacturing of weapons or drones that are killing Ukrainian civilians on a daily basis.”
“Figures obtained by The Irish Times show that hundreds of thousands of tonnes of alumina produced in Ireland went to Russia. Meanwhile the EU is importing aluminium from elsewhere, so there is a ready market for Irish Alumina if Russian markets are no longer available.”
European Greens Co-chair Vula Tsetsi said: “Every day, the European Union condemns Russia’s attacks on Ukraine. Every day, Ukrainians are wounded or killed by Russian attacks. It is therefore indefensible that materials produced in an EU Member State are still reaching supply chains linked to Russia’s military industry. Supporting Ukraine is not only about what support we send to Kyiv; it is also about what we refuse to send to Moscow. The era of sanctions loopholes must end immediately.”
Background information
Aughinish Alumina is owned by Russian conglomerate United Company Rusal founded by the Russian billionaire and oligarch Oleg Deripask. Although Deripask has condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine he is seen as a long-time associate being close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Irish Times / OCCRP investigation draws on confidential documents, customs data and transport records along with satellite imagery and financial records.
