Solikamsk Magnesium Works provides raw materials to Estonian company NPM Silmet
The European Union, at the request of Estonia, has removed the Solikamsk Magnesium Works and its CEO from the sanctions list targeting Russia's military-industrial complex. This decision was finalized on October 7 during the adoption of a new sanctions package. This was reported by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
Under the new sanctions list approved by EU ambassadors on October 7, measures were taken against 743 individuals and 826 companies linked to the Russian defense sector. The original proposal prepared by the European External Action Service in September included one additional factory and one official.
The removal of the Solikamsk Magnesium Works and its CEO, Ruslan Dimukhamedov, was driven by an appeal from Estonia. As Kerstin Lepik, spokeswoman for Estonia’s Permanent Representation to the EU, explained, the company supplies critical raw materials to the Estonian firm NPM Silmet, based in the city of Sillamäe.
Significance of supplies for European industry
The raw materials provided by the Russian manufacturer are essential for the operation of the Estonian facility, which specializes in the processing of rare-earth metals. NPM Silmet’s output is subsequently used in Europe for the production of wind turbines, electric vehicles, and within the aviation, automotive, and electronics sectors.
The Estonian mission emphasized that NPM Silmet is actively seeking alternative supply sources for these necessary resources. Tallinn intends to revisit the issue of including the company and its leadership in the sanctions list next year.
Plant control and structure
Solikamsk Magnesium Works specializes in producing rare-earth metal concentrates, as well as magnesium, titanium, tantalum, and niobium products. According to available data, the factory transitioned under the direct control of the Russian state corporation Rosatom between 2023 and 2024.
The approved sanctions package stands as the largest such list announced by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas back in August. Despite the removal of specific entities at Estonia’s request, the total number of sanctioned subjects remains extensive, covering a broad segment of the Russian economy integrated into defense-related processes.
Illustrative photo: Ansgar Koreng / CC BY-SA 3.0 de
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