Five Lithuanian companies sanctioned by Moscow say they have no business relations with Moscow. The firms, active in military and technology sectors, were among 74 foreign firms sanctioned by Russia.
The Lithuanian companies named in the sanctions list are Aviabaltika Aviation Ltd (which is linked to Aviabaltika), Helisota, Defensus, ASU Baltija and Defensa.
It was “an honour” for Avia Solutions Group (ASG) to be sanctioned, its spokesperson Vilma Vaitiekunaite said. She said the sanctions imposed by Russia against the company were “ridiculous”.
The firm is owned by a Lithuanian businessman Gediminas Ziemelis and controls Helisota, a helicopter and aircraft repairs company.
According to Vaitiekunaite, Helisota is completing repair works for Russia-made helicopters, but not for Russian clients. She also said the company was currently offering repair and maintenance services solely to Airbus and Robinson helicopters.
BNS could not yet contact Aviabaltika Aviation Ltd, a company controlled by or linked to Aviabaltika, a Kaunas-based helicopter maintenance and repair provider and aviation equipment trader. ASU Baltija, another Kaunas-based company providing aircraft maintenance services, was also unavailable for comment.
Aviabaltika is owned by the family of Yuri Borisov, a controversial businessman who was the main contributor to the election campaign of Lithuania’s impeached president, Rolandas Paksas.
Asta Bataityte, CEO of Defensus, a Vilnius-based company trading in arms and specialised gear, said that the company never worked with Russia.
The company is controlled by one private individual as well as Latvia’s Scand Energo System.
A representative of Defensa, a company trading in weapons and other goods designated for military and law enforcement, also said that the company had never worked with Russia before. (LRT/Business World Magazine)
