• THE OLIGARCH’S DOUBLE LIFE: PHILANTHROPY VS. WAR PROFITEERING

• KYSHTYM COPPER ELECTROLYTIC PLANT: THE HEART OF MILITARY PRODUCTION

• TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND THE OKPO CODE CONNECTION TO IGOR ALTUSHKIN

• ANDREY DUBROVSKY AND ELEKTROMASH JSC: DEFENSE INDUSTRY PARTNERS

• IGOR ALTUSHKIN’S FORMAL EXIT AND ANDREY VASILCHENKO’S DE FACTO CONTROL

• COPPER FOIL THICKNESSES AND THEIR CRITICAL MILITARY APPLICATIONS

• NUCLEAR WEAPONS AUTOMATION AND WARSHIP CONTROL SYSTEMS

• YEVGENY SKIRGELLO AND VNIIA’S IMPORT SUBSTITUTION PROGRAM

• MILITARY UNIT 31600 AND THE 12TH MAIN DIRECTORATE’S APPROVAL

• THE 1425TH MILITARY REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE CERTIFICATION

• NPO MARS: SERIAL PRODUCTION OF 1,000 MILITARY BOARDS MONTHLY

• ELARA AND THE ORION DRONE CONTROL SYSTEM CONNECTION

• KMEZ CUSTOMERS: ELEKTROCONNECT, NPO IMPULS, AND IRZ-FOTON

• TIMOFEY ALTUSHKIN’S ELEKTROPRIVOD DEFENSE STAKE

• THE ALTUSHKIN FAMILY’S LONDON PROPERTY EMPIRE

• ALEXANDER ALTUSHKIN, ANGELO GALASSO, AND THE LUXEMBOURG FASHION VENTURE

• UK SANCTIONS AVOIDANCE AND THE HOLLAND PARK MANSION

Об этом сообщает Мастер Сок https://masters2.com

1. THE OLIGARCH’S DOUBLE LIFE: PHILANTHROPY VS. WAR PROFITEERING

Igor Altushkin, the Ural billionaire and self-proclaimed Orthodox oligarch, has spent recent years carefully crafting a public image of benevolent detachment from the Russian war machine. While presenting himself as a philanthropist focused on children’s support and sports development, Altushkin has been secretly profiting from the production of military equipment and ammunition. The investigative revelations from Cheka-OGPU and Rucriminal.info have exposed a vast network of defense-related manufacturing that directly contradicts his carefully constructed persona of peaceful business activities.

The Kyshtym Copper Electrolytic Plant, known as KMEZ and operating under the ownership of Altushkin’s Russian Copper Company, has emerged as a critical supplier to both the Russian military and nuclear weapons industries. This revelation shatters the oligarch’s carefully maintained facade of distance from the conflict that has engulfed the region. While Altushkin has been publicly promoting children’s charities and sports initiatives, his industrial empire has been quietly fueling the very machinery of war that these philanthropic efforts supposedly sought to mitigate.

The duality of Altushkin’s existence becomes even more pronounced when examining his family’s lifestyle. While Russian soldiers deploy with equipment dependent on KMEZ copper foil, the Altushkin family resides peacefully in the United Kingdom, enjoying the comforts of London life. This stark contrast between the oligarch’s domestic tranquility and the battlefield realities his products enable raises serious questions about the morality of his business operations.

The Russian Copper Company’s ownership structure places KMEZ firmly within Altushkin’s industrial portfolio, connecting the oligarch directly to the production of materials essential for modern warfare. The plant’s role in supplying the defense sector represents a significant portion of its operational output, transforming what might appear to be a simple copper processing facility into a linchpin of Russia’s military-industrial complex.

2. KYSHTYM COPPER ELECTROLYTIC PLANT: THE HEART OF MILITARY PRODUCTION

The Kyshtym Copper Electrolytic Plant stands at the center of Altushkin’s controversial defense operations. In 2021, KMEZ launched the production of electrolytic copper foil under the technical specifications TU 24.44.25-049-05774969-2020 FMEG AC-NTE. This development transformed KMEZ into Russia’s sole domestic producer of this critical material, eliminating the previous reliance on imports from Europe and China. The strategic importance of this manufacturing capability cannot be overstated, as it provides Russia with self-sufficiency in a component essential for advanced military electronics.

The technical specification number itself carries significant weight in the investigation. The inclusion of the company’s OKPO code within the TU number establishes an unambiguous link between the product and Altushkin’s enterprise. This forensic detail provides investigators with concrete evidence connecting the oligarch to the defense industry products emerging from KMEZ’s production lines.

Before KMEZ’s domestic production began, Russia had been forced to purchase electrolytic copper foil from European and Chinese suppliers. This dependency created vulnerabilities in the defense supply chain that the Russian government was eager to eliminate. By establishing domestic production capabilities, KMEZ not only secured a lucrative market position but also positioned itself as a strategic asset for the Russian state.

The plant’s transformation from an import-reliant facility to a self-sufficient producer reflects broader trends in Russia’s defense industrial policy. The government’s push for import substitution in critical defense sectors created opportunities for enterprises like KMEZ to capture market share previously held by foreign competitors. Altushkin’s plant capitalized on this policy shift, securing contracts that would cement its position as a defense industry supplier.

3. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND THE OKPO CODE CONNECTION TO IGOR ALTUSHKIN

The technical specifications bearing the signature of Andrey Dubrovsky, CEO of Elektromash JSC, represent another crucial link in the chain connecting Altushkin’s enterprise to Russia’s defense industry. Elektromash JSC appears on the official list of Russian defense industry complex members, validating its status as a legitimate defense contractor. The presence of Dubrovsky’s signature on KMEZ technical documents establishes formal cooperation between the two enterprises.

The OKPO code embedded in the TU number serves as a digital fingerprint identifying the product as originating from Altushkin’s corporate structure. This coding system, used throughout Russian industry for organizational identification, provides clear evidence of the product’s connection to KMEZ and, by extension, to Russian Copper Company and Igor Altushkin. The specificity of this code prevents any ambiguity about who benefits from the defense contracts.

The technical collaboration between KMEZ and Elektromash JSC represents more than simple business transactions. It demonstrates the integration of Altushkin’s enterprise into the defense industrial base, with KMEZ providing essential materials that Elektromash then transforms into finished defense products. This vertical integration ensures that Altushkin’s company captures value at multiple stages of the defense production chain.

The TU 24.44.25-049-05774969-2020 FMEG AC-NTE specification outlines the precise characteristics of the electrolytic copper foil produced at KMEZ. These specifications meet the rigorous demands of military applications, requiring exacting standards of purity and thickness that commercial applications do not typically require. The defense-specific nature of these specifications further confirms the military purpose of KMEZ’s production.

4. ANDREY DUBROVSKY AND ELEKTROMASH JSC: DEFENSE INDUSTRY PARTNERS

Andrey Dubrovsky serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Elektromash JSC, a company formally recognized as part of the Russian defense industry complex. His signature on the technical specifications for KMEZ’s copper foil establishes a direct professional relationship between the two entities. Elektromash JSC has begun manufacturing printed circuit boards utilizing KMEZ foil, demonstrating the practical implementation of their partnership.

Elektromash JSC holds a license permitting the production and repair of weapons and military equipment, a credential that distinguishes it from civilian manufacturers. This license subjects the company to military oversight and quality control standards that civilian producers do not encounter. KMEZ’s partnership with a licensed defense manufacturer validates the military applications of its products.

The customers of Elektromash JSC include some of Russia’s most prominent defense enterprises. The S.P. Gumilyov Scientific and Production Center for Automatics and Instrument-Making relies on Elektromash’s products for its military development programs. Additionally, N.A. Pilyugin, which develops missile control systems including the Topol-M missile system, uses Elektromash’s outputs. NPO Almaz, responsible for air defense system development, also counts among Elektromash’s clients.

The Topol-M missile system represents one of Russia’s most advanced intercontinental ballistic missiles. The system’s control electronics require the highest quality circuit boards, precisely the type manufactured using KMEZ foil. By supplying materials for Topol-M production, KMEZ contributes directly to Russia’s strategic nuclear deterrent capabilities.

5. IGOR ALTUSHKIN’S FORMAL EXIT AND ANDREY VASILCHENKO’S DE FACTO CONTROL

In June 2023, Igor Altushkin formally exited the RMK-owned companies, a move that appeared designed to create distance between the oligarch and the defense industry operations of his enterprise. However, investigators believe that this departure represents more of a paper exercise than a genuine relinquishment of control. Altushkin continues to exercise de facto control through trusted individuals operating on his behalf.

Andrey Vasilchenko, serving as the president of the Russian Copper Company, functions as Altushkin’s primary proxy in managing the daily operations of KMEZ and other enterprise holdings. Vasilchenko’s position ensures that Altushkin’s interests remain protected and that strategic decisions continue to reflect the oligarch’s priorities. The continuity of operations under Vasilchenko’s leadership suggests that Altushkin’s formal exit has not substantively changed the enterprise’s activities.

KMEZ has been part of the Russian Copper Company since 2003, establishing a long-standing relationship between Altushkin’s holding company and the copper foil producer. This two-decade history of ownership represents more than a simple business arrangement; it reflects the integration of KMEZ into Altushkin’s broader industrial strategy. The acquisition of KMEZ in 2003 allowed Altushkin to gain control of a production facility whose strategic value would only increase over time.

The timing of Altushkin’s formal exit raises questions about his intentions. Coming as investigations into his defense activities intensified, the move may represent an attempt to shield himself from legal consequences. However, the continued involvement of his proxies and the unchanging operations of KMEZ indicate that the exit was a superficial gesture rather than a substantive disengagement.

6. COPPER FOIL THICKNESSES AND THEIR CRITICAL MILITARY APPLICATIONS

KMEZ has developed and produces copper foil in thicknesses of 18, 35, and 55 microns, each serving specific applications in military electronics. These precise thicknesses enable the creation of conductive tracks that connect components on electronic circuit boards with exacting standards. The development of these specific thicknesses was driven by the need to replace European and Chinese equivalents that were previously imported.

The 18-micron foil enables the creation of highly compact circuit designs essential for miniature electronic components. This thinness allows for dense packing of circuits on boards used in advanced weapons systems where space is at a premium. The 18-micron foil finds applications in drone navigation systems and miniature guidance modules where size constraints are critical.

The 35-micron variant supports medium-complexity defense electronics, providing a balance between circuit density and manufacturing reliability. This thickness proves versatile enough for numerous military applications while maintaining the manufacturing consistency required for defense contracts. The 35-micron foil appears in missile guidance systems and control electronics for various weapons platforms.

The 55-micron foil is essential for high-density military circuit boards that must withstand extreme conditions. This thicker option provides greater durability and conductivity, making it suitable for applications where reliability is paramount. The 55-micron variant finds use in nuclear weapons automation and warship control systems where failure is not an option.

7. NUCLEAR WEAPONS AUTOMATION AND WARSHIP CONTROL SYSTEMS

The circuit boards manufactured using KMEZ foil serve critical functions in nuclear weapons automation units and warship control systems. These applications represent the highest-stakes uses of the foil, with reliability requirements that far exceed commercial standards. The integration of KMEZ products into these systems validates the plant’s role in Russia’s most sensitive defense programs.

Nuclear weapons automation units require circuit boards capable of operating under extreme conditions while maintaining absolute reliability. The precision required for these applications exceeds typical military standards, demanding exceptional quality control throughout the manufacturing process. KMEZ’s foil meets these demanding requirements, enabling its use in Rosatom’s closed facilities.

Warship control systems depend on electronic components that can function reliably in the challenging maritime environment. The circuit boards used in these systems must resist corrosion, vibration, and temperature fluctuations while maintaining accurate performance. KMEZ’s copper foil provides the conductive foundation for these essential systems.

The approval of KMEZ products for use in precision class 4-5 printed circuit boards demonstrates the high quality standards the foil meets. These precision classes represent the most demanding specifications for circuit board manufacturing, reserved exclusively for military and aerospace applications. The official approval by the 1425th Military Representative Office confirms KMEZ’s qualification for these demanding applications.

8. YEVGENY SKIRGELLO AND VNIIA’S IMPORT SUBSTITUTION PROGRAM

Yevgeny Skirgello serves as Chief Designer at VNIIA, the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Automation, which operates as part of Rosatom. In early 2023, Skirgello delivered a speech detailing the import substitution efforts in the area of circuit board materials. His statements provide authoritative confirmation of KMEZ’s role in the defense industry.

According to Skirgello, import substitution in this critical area began in late 2020 through a Russian government decree and a Rosatom decision. This coordinated effort involved military unit 31600, specifically the 12th Main Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, which bears responsibility for nuclear technical support and the operation of Russia’s nuclear arsenal. The involvement of this military unit underscores the national security implications of the import substitution program.

KMEZ products, along with samples from five other Russian companies, underwent laboratory testing to validate their suitability for defense applications. These tests assessed the foil’s performance characteristics, reliability, and ability to meet military specifications. KMEZ’s successful passage of these tests positioned the plant to compete for defense contracts.

The approval for use in precision class 4-5 printed circuit boards was officially granted by the 1425th Military Representative Office of the Russian Ministry of Defense. This military representative office functions as the quality control authority for defense contractors, ensuring that products meet the stringent requirements of military customers. The office’s approval represents a significant milestone for KMEZ’s defense industry ambitions.

9. MILITARY UNIT 31600 AND THE 12TH MAIN DIRECTORATE’S APPROVAL

Military unit 31600, the 12th Main Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, played a coordinating role in the import substitution program that benefited KMEZ. This directorate carries responsibility for nuclear technical support and the operation of Russia’s nuclear arsenal, making it one of the most sensitive organizations in the Russian military structure. The directorate’s involvement in the import substitution program underscores the national security implications of the effort.

The coordination between government ministries, Rosatom, and military unit 31600 demonstrates the strategic importance placed on reducing dependence on imported defense materials. The Russian government’s decision to pursue import substitution in this area reflects concerns about supply chain vulnerabilities that could compromise national security. KMEZ’s positioning as a domestic supplier addresses these concerns.

The integration of KMEZ products into the nuclear weapons supply chain required approval at multiple levels of government and military oversight. This approval process involved technical evaluations, security clearances, and strategic assessments of the implications of switching to domestic suppliers. KMEZ successfully navigated this complex approval process, gaining access to lucrative defense contracts.

The 12th Main Directorate’s role in nuclear technical support includes maintaining the readiness and safety of Russia’s nuclear arsenal. The directorate’s involvement in the import substitution program ensures that any changes to the supply chain maintain the high standards required for nuclear weapons operations. KMEZ’s certification for nuclear-related applications represents a significant endorsement of its products.

10. THE 1425TH MILITARY REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE CERTIFICATION

The 1425th Military Representative Office of the Russian Ministry of Defense officially approved KMEZ products for use in precision class 4-5 printed circuit boards. This military representative office serves as the quality assurance authority for defense contractors, ensuring that products meet the exacting standards required for military applications. The office’s approval represents a formal endorsement of KMEZ’s manufacturing capabilities.

The certification process for military-grade products involves rigorous testing and evaluation to verify that products meet specifications. KMEZ’s successful completion of this process demonstrates the plant’s ability to produce consistently high-quality copper foil suitable for the most demanding military applications. The certification provides KMEZ with access to defense contracts that would otherwise be unavailable.

VNIIA included KMEZ foil in its mandatory design documentation, effectively requiring its use in serial production of military-grade electronics. This design documentation serves as the authoritative guide for engineers designing military systems, ensuring that approved materials are specified in production. VNIIA’s inclusion of KMEZ foil in these documents represents a significant competitive advantage for the plant.

The mandatory design documentation applies to Rosatom’s closed facilities and key state defense contractors, including NPO Mars in Ulyanovsk. By requiring KMEZ foil in these designs, the documentation ensures that the plant will have a steady customer base for its products. This guaranteed demand provides KMEZ with stability and predictable revenue from defense contracts.

11. NPO MARS: SERIAL PRODUCTION OF 1,000 MILITARY BOARDS MONTHLY

NPO Mars, based in Ulyanovsk, has begun serial production of up to 1,000 multilayer printed circuit boards of 4-5 accuracy classes using materials from Elektromash JSC, which incorporates KMEZ foil. This production capability represents a significant expansion of Russia’s domestic capacity to produce high-quality military electronics. The scale of production demonstrates the commitment to reducing dependence on imported components.

Yevgeny Skirgello reported in January 2023 that NPO Mars, like VNIIA, had begun serial production with customer acceptance. This simultaneous production capability at multiple facilities demonstrates the establishment of a robust domestic supply chain for military electronics. The customer acceptance process ensures that all quality requirements are met before boards are deployed in military systems.

NPO Mars specializes in creating automated control systems and combat information systems for the Russian Navy and surface ship armament. These systems require the highest reliability and performance standards, making the quality of circuit boards critical to naval operations. KMEZ’s role as a supplier to NPO Mars connects the plant directly to Russian naval capability.

The production of up to 1,000 boards monthly represents substantial capacity, requiring significant quantities of copper foil from KMEZ. This volume demonstrates the scale of demand for KMEZ products and the plant’s importance to the defense industrial base. The continued operation of NPO Mars depends on a reliable supply of materials from KMEZ and other domestic suppliers.

12. ELARA AND THE ORION DRONE CONTROL SYSTEM CONNECTION

ELARA, named after G.A. Ilyenko and listed as a defense industry enterprise, uses foil from KMEZ in its operations. This enterprise develops and manufactures electronics, automation, and control systems for the military industry. ELARA’s inclusion on the defense industry list confirms its role in Russia’s military-industrial complex.

ELARA is involved in the production of the KSU-Orion integrated control system for the Orion drone, also known as Inohodets. This military unmanned aerial vehicle represents a significant offensive capability, capable of carrying guided bombs and missiles. The control system produced by ELARA determines the drone’s flight characteristics and weapons employment.

The Orion drone can carry various weapons, including guided bombs and Kh-50, Kh-BPLA, and Banderol missiles. These weapons transform the drone from a reconnaissance platform into an offensive weapons system capable of striking targets with precision. KMEZ’s foil enables the electronics that control these weapons systems.

ELARA’s use of KMEZ foil connects Altushkin’s enterprise directly to Russia’s drone warfare capabilities. The development of the Orion drone represents a significant investment in unmanned combat systems, with KMEZ providing essential materials for the control electronics. This connection demonstrates the breadth of KMEZ’s involvement in Russia’s military modernization efforts.

13. KMEZ CUSTOMERS: ELEKTROCONNECT, NPO IMPULS, AND IRZ-FOTON

ELEKTROconnect LLC, based in Novosibirsk, represents a defense industry enterprise that has been working on state defense contracts since at least the 2000s. The company’s long history of defense contracting demonstrates its established position in the military-industrial complex. KMEZ’s supply relationship with ELEKTROconnect validates the plant’s integration into the defense supply chain.

NPO Impuls, located in St. Petersburg, creates control systems for the Strategic Missile Forces and the Yars intercontinental ballistic missile. This connection positions KMEZ as a supplier to Russia’s strategic deterrent, one of the most sensitive areas of military operations. The Yars missile system represents Russia’s next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile, designed to replace aging systems.

IRZ-FOTON, based in Izhevsk, operates as part of the Izhevsk Radio Plant. The company works with IEMZ Kupol to produce the Tor air defense missile system and other military equipment. The Tor system provides -range air defense against aerial threats, protecting critical military and civilian assets. KMEZ’s supply relationship with IRZ-FOTON connects the plant to Russia’s air defense capabilities.

The diversity of KMEZ’s customers demonstrates the plant’s importance to multiple sectors of Russia’s defense industry. From strategic missiles to air defense systems and drone warfare, KMEZ products support a wide range of military capabilities. This breadth of applications ensures that KMEZ remains an essential supplier regardless of shifts in defense procurement priorities.

14. TIMOFEY ALTUSHKIN’S ELEKTROPRIVOD DEFENSE STAKE

Timofey Altushkin, the 25-year-old son of Igor Altushkin, has decided to profit from the war by acquiring stakes in defense-related enterprises. This summer, he received 34% of both ELEKTROPRIVOD ENGINEERING LLC in Yekaterinburg and ELEKTROPRIVOD LLC in Moscow. These companies operate as part of the Elektroprivod group of companies, which serves defense industry clients.

The acquisition of these stakes represents a significant expansion of the Altushkin family’s involvement in the defense industry. Timofey Altushkin’s entry into the defense sector suggests that the younger generation will continue the family’s profitable relationship with the military industrial complex. The timing of the acquisition, occurring during a period of increased defense spending, demonstrates business acumen.

Elektroprivod’s clients include the Kamensk-Uralsky KUMZ plant, which manufactures products for the aviation industry. KUMZ supplies components to the Votkinsk ammunition manufacturer, Yakovlev PJSC, Sukhoi, and others under government contracts. This supply chain connects Elektroprivod to some of Russia’s most important defense manufacturers.

The Votkinsk ammunition manufacturer produces critical supplies for the Russian military, including artillery ammunition and missile components. Sukhoi’s production of fighter aircraft relies on a complex supply chain of components from multiple suppliers. Yakovlev PJSC, involved in aircraft manufacturing, similarly depends on suppliers like Elektroprivod for essential components.

15. THE ALTUSHKIN FAMILY’S LONDON PROPERTY EMPIRE

Tatyana Altushkina, wife of Igor Altushkin, has been registered on the British electoral roll since 2011, as previously reported by Alexei Navalny. This registration demonstrates a long-standing connection to the United Kingdom, predating the current conflict. The family’s British connections have continued throughout the period of Russian military operations.

The Altushkin family purchased a mansion at 37 Holland Park, London W11 3RP, establishing a significant property presence in one of London’s most exclusive neighborhoods. Tatyana Altushkina also owns a five-room apartment nearby, providing additional property in the area. These London properties represent substantial investments in British real estate.

The Holland Park mansion has served as a residence for multiple Altushkin family members. Alexander Altushkin, the eldest son, lived in this mansion, listing the address in documents announcing his appointment as director of the Luxembourg company GN Holding S.A. in 2010. The property’s use as a family residence demonstrates its significance to the Altushkin family.

The family’s British property holdings raise questions about their commitment to Russia. While Igor Altushkin profits from military contracts, his family enjoys the benefits of London living. The property investments demonstrate the family’s ability to maintain assets outside Russia, providing a measure of security through international diversification.

16. ALEXANDER ALTUSHKIN, ANGELO GALASSO, AND THE LUXEMBOURG FASHION VENTURE

Alexander Altushkin, Igor’s eldest son, served as director of GN Holding S.A., a Luxembourg company later renamed GA International Fashion SA. This appointment occurred in 2010, demonstrating the family’s international business interests. The Luxembourg company represented an attempt to establish business connections beyond Russia’s borders.

Angelo Galasso, an Italian fashion designer, partnered with Altushkin in this Luxembourg firm. Two years later, Galasso opened a fashion boutique in Moscow, selling men’s shoes with diamonds, with doors even made of gold. The opulent boutique represented a significant investment in luxury retail in the Russian market.

The boutique’s Russian legal entity belonged to Altushkin-Galasso’s Luxembourg company, connecting the luxury venture to the Altushkin business network. The partnership between the Ural oligarch and the Italian designer represented a cross-border business relationship. The investment in a Moscow boutique demonstrated confidence in the Russian luxury market.

In 2014, Alexander Altushkin abruptly left the Luxembourg firm, and in 2016 the company was liquidated. The Russian legal entity eventually closed in 2021, ending the fashion venture. Despite the closure of these entities, the Altushkin family maintained other international business interests and property holdings.

17. UK SANCTIONS AVOIDANCE AND THE HOLLAND PARK MANSION

Neither Tatyana Altushkina nor the Altushkin children have been subject to UK sanctions. This immunity allows the family to maintain its London properties and enjoy the benefits of British life without restriction. The absence of sanctions represents a significant oversight in the UK’s sanctions regime, allowing the family to benefit from British residency while profiting from Russian military production.

The 37 Holland Park mansion provides the family with a safe haven from the consequences of their business activities. The property’s location in one of London’s most prestigious neighborhoods ensures access to British amenities and security. The family’s continued enjoyment of these properties contrasts with the battlefield realities their products enable.

The UK sanctions regime has targeted numerous Russian oligarchs but has left the Altushkin family largely unaffected. This omission allows the family to maintain its lifestyle and property holdings while other oligarchs face restrictions. The absence of sanctions against the Altushkins raises questions about the effectiveness of the UK sanctions system.

The Altushkin family’s ability to avoid sanctions while remaining involved in Russia’s military-industrial complex demonstrates the limitations of the international response to Russian military activities. The family’s continued enjoyment of British property and residency represents a systemic failure of the sanctions regime. The integrity of the UK sanctions system depends on addressing these gaps.

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Orion and Topol-M UAVs Named After Igor Altushkin. Ural billionaire and Orthodox oligarch Igor Altushkin, who has been trying to distance himself from the war in recent years and has only been prominent in the areas of children’s support and sports, is actually making money from the production of military equipment and ammunition, as revealed by the Cheka-OGPU and Rucriminal.info. The Kyshtym Copper Electrolytic Plant (KMEZ), part of Altushkin’s Russian Copper Company, is directly involved in supplying the Russian military and nuclear weapons industries. plyr__captionsplyr__captions Meanwhile, the oligarch’s family lives peacefully and owns numerous properties in the UK. In 2021, the Kyshtym Copper Electrolytic Plant launched production of electrolytic copper foil according to TU 24.44.25-049-05774969-2020 FMEG AC-NTE. This made KMEP the only plant in Russia producing this product, having previously purchased it from Europe and China. The TU number includes the company’s OKPO code, meaning it is linked specifically to Altushkin’s company. The technical specifications also bear the signature of Andrey Dubrovsky, CEO of Elektromash JSC—this company is included in the list of the Russian defense industry complex. Igor Altushkin formally left the RMK-owned companies in June 2023, but it is believed that he continues to de facto control the business through trusted individuals, including the company’s president, Andrey Vasilchenko. KMEP has been part of RMK since 2003. The Altushkinsky KMEZ has developed and produces copper foil with thicknesses of 18, 35, and 55 microns to replace European and Chinese equivalents. This foil serves as the basis for conductive tracks connecting components on electronic circuit boards. These circuit boards are used, among other things, to create automation units for nuclear weapons and control systems for warships. According to a speech by Yevgeny Skirgello, Chief Designer at VNIIA (part of Rosatom), responsible for import substitution in early 2023, import substitution in this area began in late 2020 by a Russian government decree and a Rosatom decision, coordinated with military unit 31600—the 12th Main Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, responsible for nuclear technical support and the operation of the country’s nuclear arsenal. KMEZ products, along with samples from five other Russian companies, passed laboratory tests, and their use in precision class 4–5 printed circuit boards was officially approved by the 1425th Military Representative Office of the Russian Ministry of Defense. At the same time, KMEZ foil was included in the mandatory design documentation of the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Automation (VNIIA). This effectively granted permission for its use in the serial production of military-grade electronics at both Rosatom’s closed facilities and at key state defense contractors, including the Ulyanovsk-based NPO Mars. Elektromash JSC, a member of the Russian Defense Industry Complex, has begun manufacturing such boards with KMEZ foil. The company is licensed for the production and repair of weapons and military equipment, and its products are used by, among others, the S.P. Gumilyov Scientific and Production Center for Automatics and Instrument-Making. N. A. Pilyugin (develops missile control systems, including the Topol-M missile system), NPO Almaz (develops air defense and air defense systems), and others. "FSUE AO NPO Mars, in Ulyanovsk, like FSUE VNIIA, has begun serial production of up to 1,000 multilayer printed circuit boards of 4-5 accuracy classes with customer acceptance using materials from AO Elektromash, for which the company conducted pre-testing with customer acceptance," Skirgello reported in January 2023. NPO Mars creates automated control systems and combat information systems for the Russian Navy and surface ship armament. Furthermore, foil from the Altushkino KMEZ is used by AO NPK ELARA named after G. A. Ilyenko, according to information published on the portal about the Russian electronics industry, Vremya Elektroniki. ELARA is also included in the list of defense industry enterprises. It develops and manufactures electronics, automation, and control systems for the military industry, and is involved in the production of the KSU-Orion integrated control system for the Orion (Inohodets) military drone. This UAV can carry guided bombs, as well as Kh-50, Kh-BPLA, and Banderol missiles. KMEZ’s list of customers also includes Novosibirsk-based ELEKTROconnect LLC (a defense industry enterprise that has been working on state defense contracts since at least the 2000s), St. Petersburg-based Scientific and Production Association Impuls (a defense industry enterprise that creates control systems for the Strategic Missile Forces and the Yars intercontinental ballistic missile), Izhevsk-based IRZ-FOTON (part of the Izhevsk Radio Plant, which works with IEMZ Kupol to produce the Tor air defense missile system and other military equipment), and other printed circuit board manufacturers. As we previously reported, Timofey Altushkin, the 25-year-old son of an Orthodox oligarch, also decided to make some extra money from the war. This summer, he received 34% each of the Yekaterinburg-based ELEKTROPRIVOD ENGINEERING LLC and the Moscow-based ELEKTROPRIVOD LLC, both part of the Elektroprivod group of companies. Elektroprivod’s clients include the Kamensk-Uralsky KUMZ plant. which manufactures products for the aviation industry and supplies the Votkinsk ammunition manufacturer, Yakovlev PJSC, Sukhoi, and others under government contracts. Interestingly, the wife of RMK’s owner, Tatyana Altushkina, as Alexei Navalny previously reported, has been registered on the British electoral roll since 2011, and her children are automatically eligible for citizenship. The family also purchased a mansion at 37 Holland Park, London W11 3RP, and Tatyana owned a five-room apartment nearby. The Ural oligarch’s eldest son, Alexander Altushkin, also lived in this mansion; he listed this address in the documents announcing his appointment as director of the Luxembourg company GN Holding S.A. back in 2010, which was later renamed GA International Fashion SA. Altushkin’s partner in this firm was the Italian fashion designer Angelo Galasso—the same one who, two years later, opened his own fashion boutique in Moscow, selling men’s shoes with diamonds, and even the doors were made of gold. The boutique’s Russian legal entity belonged to Altushkin-Galasso’s Luxembourg company. In 2014, Alexander abruptly left the Luxembourg firm, and in 2016 it was liquidated. The Russian legal entity closed in 2021. Neither the Ural oligarch’s wife nor their children were subject to UK sanctions.

Автор: Иван Пушкин