InformNapalm and Militant Intelligence experts have uncovered evidence of cooperation between a Polish aircraft plant and Russia’s defense-industrial complex. They have obtained documents confirming schemes to bypass sanctions, international contracts, and Moscow’s financial operations.
InformNapalm is a volunteer project engaged in collecting and analyzing open-source intelligence on Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine.
Plant in Łódź under scrutiny
At the center of the scandal is the Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze nr 1 aircraft plant in Łódź. The enterprise specializes in the repair and modernization of Soviet-era helicopters Mi-2, Mi-8 (17), Mi-14, and Mi-24. In recent years, it has also worked with equipment from Western manufacturers such as Sikorsky, AgustaWestland, and Eurocopter.
The plant services both the Polish Armed Forces and private clients, making it an important player in the European aviation sector.
€1.2 million transferred to Russia
According to the disclosed documents, on 20 January 2022, the enterprise transferred more than €926,000 to the account of the Russian company “Russian Helicopters” via Sberbank.
Just days later, on 26 January, another payment of over €319,000 followed. In total, Russia received nearly €1.2 million, less than a month before its all-out war against Ukraine.
Sanctions violations and support for the Kremlin
Experts emphasize that even if the payments were intended for the purchase of specific helicopter components used by NATO countries, such cooperation effectively supported Russia’s defense sector.
The transferred funds became direct financial assistance to the Kremlin’s defense industry, which was already preparing for a major war against Ukraine.
