This aluminium is then sold to trading company ASK, which supplies dozens of Russian arms manufacturers, according to leaked financial documents.<\/p>\n
Citing the investigation, European Parliament vice-president Pina Picierno wrote to the commission on Wednesday asking if alumina will be included in the next sanctions package targeting Russia over its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is unacceptable that, while the EU funds Ukraine\u2019s defence, a Russian-owned company operates undisturbed within a member state, supplying the Kremlin\u2019s military industry,\u201d Picierno wrote.<\/p>\n
Successive Irish governments have lobbied internationally to ensure Aughinish remains exempt from sanctions targeting Russia, citing the need to protect jobs in the Shannon area. <\/p>\n
The plant, which is owned by the Russian metals giant Rusal, employs almost 1,000 people, with another 1,000 working in supporting companies.<\/p>\n
From the Shannon to Siberia: How alumina from a Limerick refinery enters Russia\u2019s weapons supply chain<\/p>\n
An investigation by @IrishTimes<\/a> and @OCCRP<\/a> revealed that the Aughinish Alumina refinery, located in Ireland and owned by the Russian group Rusal, exports growing quantities of alumina to Russian smelters in Siberia. \u2014 Pina Picierno (@pinapic) May 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Picierno asked the commission if the State\u2019s lobbying is compatible with the principle of \u201csincere co-operation\u201d outlined in the Treaty on the European Union.<\/p>\n Separately, a group of 39 MEPs wrote to high representative for foreign affairs Kaja Kallas and European Commissioner for trade Maro\u0161 \u0160ef\u010dovi\u010d demanding that the EU stop the \u201cexport of aluminium agreements to the Russian defence industry\u201d and further review the findings of the investigation.<\/p>\n The MEPs come from 12 countries, including France, Germany, Denmark and Poland. <\/p>\n Seventeen of the MEPs come from the Renew Europe group that includes Fianna F\u00e1il. Eleven come from the EPP, of which Fine Gael is a member. However, no Irish MEPs signed the letter. <\/p>\n It is irresponsible how companies like Aughinish Alumina operate in Europe while simultaneously aiding the Russian arms industry. Therefore, on March 27, I sent a letter to High Rep Kallas and Commissioner \u0160ef\u010dovi\u010d. I am still waiting for a reply. \ud83d\udc47 https:\/\/t.co\/t8EK6ILAtl<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/DqFryPGFVB<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Bart Groothuis (@bgroothuis) May 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Polish MEP Arkadiusz Mularczyk has also written to the commission asking if alumina will be sanctioned and noting that Australia has already banned its export to Russia.<\/p>\n The Belgian government has said it wants to see alumina included as part of the next sanctions package, with the country\u2019s foreign affairs minister, Maxime Pr\u00e9vot, calling for \u201cloopholes\u201d in the sanctions regime to be closed.<\/p>\n Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin previously announced that the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Enterprise were carrying out investigations following the revelations. <\/p>\n This week, a spokesman for the Department of Enterprise declined to provide an update on the investigations, stating: \u201cThe department does not comment on individual ongoing cases or investigations.\u201d<\/p>\n Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke also declined to answer a parliamentary question this week on whether his department received any advice<\/a> on the risks of supplying alumina to Russia. Burke said alumina is not sanctioned by the EU and export to Russia is not restricted.<\/p>\n Speaking last month, EU sanctions envoy David O\u2019Sullivan said that if it is proven that Irish alumina is being used for Russian military equipment, the company will have to take action, or alumina may have to be included in future sanctions regimes.<\/p>\n Aughinish Alumina previously responded to the investigation, saying it operates \u201cin strict compliance with all applicable European Union laws, including sanctions, export control measures and trade regulations\u201d. It said it has \u201cimplemented a robust sanctions compliance and due diligence framework covering its entire supply chain\u201d.<\/p>\n![\"occrp](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/LOGGRO2VHZGPDL2UHNCV7N4JOQ.jpeg\")
Aughinish Alumina in Co Limerick supplies vast amounts of raw materials to Russian aluminium smelters, according to an investigation.The project, by The Irish Times and the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), draws on confidential documents, customs data and transport records along with satellite imagery and financial records. Read the full story here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
The material is processed into aluminium and sold to over 100\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/D4PxEzvfQV<\/a><\/p>\n