German authorities arrested five men accused of running a network that smuggled at least €30 million worth of goods to around 20 Russian defense companies in violation of EU sanctions.

Prosecutors say the group used a Lübeck-based trading company, front firms, and intermediaries inside and outside the EU to hide roughly 16,000 deliveries to Russia.

Raids took place across several German cities, while five additional suspects remain at large.

Investigators allege the operation had support from Russian state structures and directly supplied sanctioned defense firms, Euro News has reported.

Authorities froze €30 million in assets as Europe steps up efforts to disrupt sanctions-evasion networks linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine.