French agribusiness group Sucden's Russian subsidiaries have been accused of directly aiding the Russian military in its efforts against Ukraine by supplying equipment between 2023 and 2025.
An investigation by RFI, in collaboration with Arte and Mediapart, has uncovered that the Russian subsidiaries of the French agribusiness company Sucden are allegedly supporting the Russian Armed Forces in their military endeavors in Ukraine. This support is claimed to involve the provision of equipment and materials crucial for the war, particularly between the years 2023 and 2025. Reports indicate that these subsidiaries are integral to Russia's military capability in the ongoing conflict.
The French-owned subsidiaries, run by sugar magnate Serge Varsano, reportedly supplied critical resources such as equipment for weaving camouflage nets and rubber strips designed to protect armored vehicles from drone strikes. Additionally, they have been implicated in fundraising activities to bolster military efforts at the front lines. This raises serious ethical questions regarding the role of multinational companies in international conflicts and the potential complicity in acts of war.
Moreover, the findings suggest a troubling intersection of corporate interests and military support within Russia, highlighting how local authorities in Russia's Lipetsk Oblast are actively recruiting businesses to assist military endeavors. This situation paints a complex picture of corporate involvement in warfare and the responsibilities that come with operating in conflict zones, particularly for multinational enterprises with ties to countries such as France, which may have their own views and regulations regarding military engagements.
