German manufacturers of precision equipment have appeared in the catalogue of a major Moscow trade fair despite European Union sanctions restricting the export of dual-use goods to Russia. On 3 January, the German daily Berliner Morgenpost reported that it had identified references to two German companies, Mahr and Spinner, in materials linked to the “Metalworking 2025” exhibition in Moscow, raising fresh questions about the effectiveness of EU enforcement.
The companies, both based in Germany, denied any involvement in the event and said they do not supply products to Russia, either directly or through intermediaries. The appearance of their names comes as the EU continues to tighten restrictions on equipment that could support Russia’s military-industrial complex.
Exhibition listings raise questions over brand use and intermediaries
According to the investigation by Berliner Morgenpost, Mahr was listed in the exhibition catalogue in connection with a Russian firm, Mahr Service, which uses the German company’s logo and claims to supply and service Mahr measuring equipment. A spokesperson for Mahr said the company was unaware of the Russian entity and had no knowledge of its activities.
The catalogue also mentioned Eumaspinner, a Chinese machine-tool manufacturer that says it has cooperated with Spinner for many years. Spinner stated that it was not present at the Moscow exhibition and suggested that its trademark may be being used without authorisation. Both German firms said they were not exhibitors and had no commercial participation in “Metalworking 2025”.
Import data highlight potential sanction circumvention
The report also pointed to Russian import records from 2024 and 2025 showing 161 entries linked to Mahr, including micrometres and other precision measuring instruments worth about €2.2 million, with the German company listed as the manufacturer. Spinner appeared 16 times in the same database, with potential deliveries including machine tools produced in 2023 as well as used equipment, with a combined value of around €6.8 million.
The shipments are believed to have been routed through companies in China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, India and other non-EU countries, which are not subject to EU sanctions imposed over Russia’s war against Ukraine. Both Mahr and Spinner said they do not supply Russia and that they carry out compliance checks on partners, including bans on resale.
Dual-use goods and limits of enforcement
Precision measuring devices and metalworking machine tools are classified by the EU as dual-use goods because of their potential application in military production, including missiles, artillery systems and components for drones. Analysts say Russia’s access to such technology directly affects its ability to sustain weapons manufacturing.
The case underscores how complex supply chains and unauthorised use of trademarks can undermine sanctions, even when companies may be unaware of the final destination of their products. It has renewed calls for stricter corporate responsibility, stronger monitoring of brands and distributors, and coordinated EU-level investigations into supply routes. Without more robust enforcement and, potentially, secondary sanctions on intermediaries outside the bloc, officials warn that the credibility and effectiveness of the EU’s sanctions regime could continue to erode.
