Moldovan firms continue to export national goods and goods made in Western Europe to the Crimea annexed by Russia. Moreover, it happen despite the sanctions imposed by the Ukrainian authorities, IPN reports, with reference to an investigation carried out by the Association of Investigative Journalists RISE Moldova entitled “Moldovan standards for Crimea”.

Kyiv imposed bans on the trade with Crimea in 2015. At the same time, goods from Moldova continue to be imported into Crimea.

The authors of the investigation ascertained that to avoid the sanctions, businessmen use the services of intermediary companies from Russia. They gave as example Moldovan companies whose products were exported to Crimea, such as “Standardul moldovenesc” (“Moldovan standard”) of Tvardita and “Berhord” SRL of Chisinau.

According to information from the customs database of Ukraine, before the annexation of Crimea, “Standardul moldovenesc” imported goods for “Magliv” directly and then through the Agency of Russian firms. “Berhord” SRL acted by the same scheme.

The Moldovan companies indicated for the purpose Russian cities located close to Crimea as final destinations. Also, Moldovan goods are exported to the peninsula by indicating Italy and Germany as countries of origin.

“From Moldova write the destination Krasnodar. It is important not to indicate Crimea as a destination. This should not be indicated in the customs declaration. Your addressee is a firm from Krasnodar region,” Russian customs expert Svetlana Poluleah explained to journalists.

Director of “Standardul moldovenesc” Vasili Shoshev denied that their products are exported to Crimea. He noted that imports to the peninsula stopped long ago.

“Berhord” director Andrei Iosip, in an interview for RISE Moldova, stated that they have commercial relations only with a firm based in the Russian city of Krasnodar that bears the same name. However, the authors of the investigation showed the goods are sent to “Berhord” SRL of Crimea