Putin's Russia

Russia has a sensor system at a depth of 80 meters – built with technology from the West

Russia has built a sensor system on the bottom of the Barents Sea, which is north of Scandinavia, using technology from the West. Swedish technology has also been used. This is revealed by SVT Nyheter together with a long list of other European media.

At a depth of 80 meters, the system alerts the Russian defense about what is happening in the sea.

The system is called "Garmonija", which means "Harmony". Russia has previously said that the system exists, but its location has been unknown. The system is to defend Russian nuclear weapons stored in the area from NATO countries.

- If Russia were to realize that this was threatened in any way, they will act very harshly, decisively and ruthlessly, says Niklas Granholm, research director at the Swedish Defense Research Institute.

The technology has been brought to Russia through the shell company Mostrello, based in Cyprus. When Dutch journalists visited its so-called headquarters, they were met with a deserted house.

Satellite antennas from Kalix are used in Putin's system

Satellite antennas from the Kalix company Satmission have been used in Russia's sensor system used on the seabed in the Barents Sea. This is shown by the review that SVT Nyheter and several other European media have done of the Russian system "Harmoni".

A Russian citizen, based in Germany, has been convicted of sanctions violations in Frankfurt. During the trial, it emerged that he coordinated the sale of the system to Russia as an intermediary. Satmission's sale ran until 2023.

Säpo says that it has no investigation against the company and refers to the police's NOA department, which does not want to comment.

Satmission's operations have been closed down. The owner company Kebni does not want to participate in an interview, but announces in writing that it has not traded with Russia since 2021 and that re-export of its goods is prohibited by contract.

About the review

The work has been coordinated by the excavation project “Secrets of Russia” led by the German public service broadcaster NDR. The work has been carried out in cooperation with the journalist network ICIJ. Editorial staff from Sweden, Norway, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, the UK, Germany and the US have participated in the review.

Source: NRK