Live: Ukraine

🇮🇪Ireland’s Aughinish Alumina plant may be supplying raw materials used by Russia’s defense industry, The Guardian reports. Shipments of alumina from Ireland to Russia have surged since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. Exports totaled $243 million in 2022 and rose to $376 million in 2024. According to the investigative outlet iStories, alumina from the plant is delivered to Russian smelters and may then be used in the production of aluminum for military purposes. At the same time, such supplies do not formally violate EU sanctions, as restrictions do not apply to alumina, even though aluminum has wide military applications. ▪️Aughinish Alumina is Ireland’s only producer of alumina and one of the largest in Europe. The facility has been owned by Rusal since 2006, a company linked to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, who is under sanctions. 🪐 Subscribe to Live: Ukraine