Investigation: Polish Aircraft Factory Bought Helicopter Spare Parts from Russians

A Polish aircraft factory was found to have cooperated with the Russian defense industry in the modernization and maintenance of helicopters.

The finding comes from an investigation conducted by the InformNapalm and Militant Intelligence.

As part of a joint cyber operation, volunteer intelligence officers obtained documents revealing international contracts and financial transactions by Russia aimed at evading sanctions.

The materials were made public amid critical remarks by Polish President Karol Nawrocki. The documents mention the Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze No. 1 aircraft plant, located in Łódź.

The company serves both the Polish Armed Forces and private customers.

Its main specialization is the repair, maintenance and modernization of Soviet-designed helicopters — the Mi-2, Mi-8/17, Mi-14 and Mi-24.

In recent years, the plant has also worked with Western-made equipment, including helicopters produced by Sikorsky, AgustaWestland and Eurocopter.

The documents show that on January 20, 2022, less than a month before the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the company transferred more than €926,000 to the account of Russian Helicopters through Sberbank.

On January 26, another payment of more than €319,000 was made. In total, Russia received about €1.2 million.

The intelligence groups said the payments indicate a violation of the sanctions regime and that Russia’s defense industry received financial support on the eve of the full-scale war.

They added that the funds were likely related to the supply of helicopter components and assemblies from Russia, which are also used by the armed forces of NATO member states.

Even so, the cooperation provided Russia’s defense sector with significant revenue and access to European markets.