Kazakhstan Sources Traffic Lights from Subsidiary of Sanctioned Russian Conglomerate
Photo: Olga Ibrayeva, Orda.kz
In 2024, Kazakhstan imported approximately 1,500 traffic lights from Russia, a seemingly routine procurement, Orda.kz reports.
On February 28, Russia’s Rostec state corporation reported that the Urals Optical & Mechanical Plant (UOMZ) —part of the Shvabe holding in Yekaterinburg — had supplied 1,494 traffic lights to Kazakhstan this year. The buyers were Akimats in Qostanay, Pavlodar, Oskemen, and Aqtobe.
Interestingly, Kazakhstan has been purchasing traffic lights from Yekaterinburg at twice the rate of Russian regions.
“Last year, we delivered 717 traffic lights within Russia and 1,494 to Kazakhstan. Over the past three years, we have sold more than 8,000 units,” said Lev Borisov, Deputy General Director of Shvabe.
The traffic lights are modern and compatible with Smart City infrastructure, supporting features like video monitoring. However, the manufacturer raises concerns — UOMZ is known primarily for producing military-grade optical equipment.
The plant supplies optical location stations for Russian fighter jets and helicopters and optical-electronic systems for warships and armored vehicles.
The Shvabe holding, which owns UOMZ, is part of Rostec, a Russian defense conglomerate. In June 2022, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the United States imposed sanctions on Shvabe, with the European Union following suit in December 2022.
Kazakhstan has not joined international sanctions against Russia, and since traffic lights are considered civilian products, their import does not directly violate any restrictions.
Orda.kz has contacted the Akimats of Aqtobe, Qostanay, Pavlodar, and Oskemen to determine whether there are potential risks of secondary sanctions and whether alternative suppliers are available.
During a visit to Buryatia, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador Dauren Abayev expressed interest in helicopters from the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, a company under sanctions for producing military equipment used by Russia in Ukraine.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Trade, and Ministry of Emergency Situations have informed Orda that there are no plans to collaborate with the aircraft manufacturer.
Original Author: Nikita Drobny
Latest news
- While Thousands Lost Power, KEGOC Executives Received Nearly Half a Billion Tenge
- Changi Airport Group May Help Build Astana’s New Airport
- US Again Extends Deadline for Lukoil to Sell Its Assets in Kazakhstan
- Kazakhstan Extradites Business Manager From Russia in 290 Million Tenge Tax Case
- Released Amur Tiger Successfully Hunts in Kazakhstan’s Wild
- Kazakhstan Moves to Develop Critical Minerals as Global Competition Intensifies
- Another Performance by Kazakh Stand-Up Comedian Called Off
- Uzbekistan Begins Preparations for Second Nuclear Power Plant
- Backpack Links Glacier Remains to Man Missing for 19 Years
- 650-Hectare Wildfire Contained in Karaganda Region
- Unusual Wildlife Encounter Captured in Altyn-Emel
- Retired Border Service Dog Sold for $2 at Kazakhstan Auction
- Will Kazakhstan Have Enough Coal This Winter?
- Belarusian Hikers Find Body on Glacier Near Almaty
- Kazakhstan Investigates Spending on 242 Million Tenge Educational Game
- Kazakhstan Makes Caspian Oil Companies Pay for Counterterrorism Deployments
- Kazakhstan Faces Shortage of 245,000 School Places
- Waste Dumping Reported Near Yurt Camps at Lake Zaisan
- Kazakh Oil Rerouted to Novorossiysk as Russia Frees Baltic Export Capacity
- Amur Tiger Umit Adapts to Life in the Wild in Southern Balkhash
