Repressions in the Defense Industry Following Insider Leaks Confirm Anti-War Sentiments in Belarusian Society

Investigations into the involvement of Belarusian defense enterprises in circumventing sanctions with the help of China to produce military products for Russia have triggered a new wave of repression in the defense sector. The fact that information about supply chains has leaked shows a high level of anti-war sentiment even among segments of society that are formally loyal to Lukashenka. This form of resistance undermines the potential of the Belarusian defense industry, which the regime has put at the service of Russia’s military machine.

Human rights activists have reported mass checks on employees of Belarusian defense enterprises, including BelOMO and Peleng. The security services are testing employees with polygraphs, checking their phones, and calling them in for “conversations.” There have been cases where employees were subjected to administrative detention or fired.

The trigger for these actions was likely a recently published joint investigation by the publication “Nikkei” and a group of former Belarusian security officials. The investigation details how these enterprises bypass sanctions with the help of China to produce military products for Russia. Specifically, Chinese companies supply high-precision components used in Russian weapons to the defense contractor BelOMO. This occurred even after the company was sanctioned by the US and EU for supplying weapons to the Russian military.

The investigation revealed that the Chinese company “Green Cycle Energy” from Shenzhen received an order from the BelOMO holding on December 1, 2022, for 3,000 components for the LAD-21T laser module, which is used for bomb and missile guidance. Despite the sanctions, on February 16, 2023, “Green Cycle Energy” and BelOMO signed another contract for the purchase of these components for 5.56 million yuan (USD 764,000). Another Chinese company, “Morotack (Tianjin) Technology,” signed a contract on February 1 for 114,000 yuan to supply 200 flange components for “Diaproector,” a company that is part of BelOMO.

The investigation also uncovered close cooperation between Russian and Belarusian defense contractors. For example, the St. Petersburg company “Precision Laser Systems” supplies laser components to “Diaproector,” which in turn sells them to another Belarusian defense company, “Peleng.” “Peleng” then supplies tank gunner sights “Sosna-U” to Russia under a state defense contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Another earlier investigation shows that the cooperation between “Peleng” and BelOMO with Chinese manufacturers is facilitated by a specially established Belarusian company, “Shenzhen 5G Hi-Tech Innovation.” At least six Chinese manufacturers cooperate with “Shenzhen 5G Hi-Tech Innovation.” Thousands of parts and components have been supplied to Belarus to upgrade outdated Russian equipment and enhance its combat potential. Meanwhile, “Shenzhen 5G Hi-Tech Innovation” contracts with “Peleng” to supply components for military products, even though it has no production facilities and has never had any. It is a front company with only a small office.

Thus, despite the mass repressions, employees of Belarusian defense enterprises find the courage to protest against the regime’s involvement in the war on Russia’s side by leaking information about supply chains. This indicates the persistence of strong anti-war sentiments in Belarusian society, even among segments traditionally considered loyal to the regime.

Given that Chinese companies take the risks of secondary sanctions from the US and EU very seriously, such investigations could lead to a significant slowdown, if not a complete cessation, of cooperation. This, in turn, would limit the potential of Belarusian defense enterprises, which the regime has put at the service of Russia’s military interests in the conflict with Ukraine