An investigative report by the BBC uncovers that Valeria Baigascina, a part-time model from Belarus, is at the center of a scheme exporting British military-grade optics to sanctioned Russian entities through her company, Rama Group. While Baigascina denies wrongdoing, the findings spotlight serious gaps in international sanctions compliance, further exacerbated by significant increases in UK exports to Kyrgyzstan since sanctions were implemented.
Unmasking the Web: How a Part-Time Model Facilitates High-Tech Military Exports to Russia
Unmasking the Web: How a Part-Time Model Facilitates High-Tech Military Exports to Russia
An investigation reveals a part-time model’s company channels British technology to sanctioned Russian firms, raising questions about the efficacy of sanctions and compliance in Kyrgyzstan.
High-tech equipment valued at $2.1 million (£1.6 million) has reportedly been sold to companies in Russia that are linked to the military, as indicated by customs documents obtained by BBC News. These documents reveal that British-made camera lenses were shipped through a Kyrgyz company allegedly managed by Valeria Baigascina, a part-time model residing in Belarus.
Beck Optronic Solutions, the UK manufacturer specializing in high-precision military optics for tanks and fighter jets, insists it has not violated sanctions and has no direct dealings with either Russia or Kyrgyzstan, stating it remains unaware of any shipments. This investigation casts doubt on the effectiveness of the sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
Baigascina, a 25-year-old originally from Kazakhstan, frequently showcases her expansive travels to destinations like Dubai and Malaysia on social media. Yet, customs documents unearthed in the investigation suggest that she was the founder and director of Rama Group LLC, established in February 2023 and based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, a significant distance from her home in Belarus.
Trade relations between former Soviet states indicate a troubling trend; UK exports to Kyrgyzstan surged by over 300% since the onset of sanctions against Russia in February 2022, leading experts to warn that goods may actually end up in Moscow despite official routes. The customs records highlight two shipments from Rama Group that delivered advanced optics—potentially usable in military applications—directly to Moscow.
Intriguingly, the shipments were marked as “rotating part of camera” and sent to Sol Group in Smolensk, a company designated as sanctioned by the US for its military affiliations. Another intermediary firm, Shisan LLC, was implicated in additional shipments of Beck Optronic products.
Upon questioning, Baigascina distanced herself from any wrongdoing, claiming she sold her company in May 2023 and that no contraband trade occurred under her leadership. Her business associate, Angelina Zhurenko, asserted compliance with Kyrgyzstan's laws regarding trade.
The director of Shisan LLC also denied accusations, asserting his focus on civilian goods. However, Beck Optronic has firmly denied any knowledge of these shipments, suggesting possible falsifications of customs documents.
The broader picture emerging from an analysis conducted by C4ADS—a security think tank—reveals extensive illegal export activities, with Shisan and Rama Group being significant players in supplying military-grade components to Russia. The deficit in oversight raises critical questions about the implementation and effectiveness of international sanctions and trading laws.
As experts warn about the implications of Western technologies reaching Russian military apparatus, the EU and UK officials continue exploring avenues to inhibit illicit procurement networks. This investigation illustrates the pressing need for more stringent checks and regulations to ensure compliance and safeguard against the dire consequences of sanction violations on global security.
