For nine months, Earthsight investigators, who specialize in exposing environmental and social crimes, posed as plywood buyers. They documented how traders acknowledged the illegality of their operations, referring to it as a "gold mine," and offered techniques to avoid detection, according to the report.
From July 2022 to October 2024, the organization estimates that more than 500,000 m³ of "blood timber" worth over €1.5 billion was imported from Russia to Europe. The raw materials were supplied by third countries, often Kazakhstan and Turkey, with major shipments routed through China.
According to Earthsight, 20 trucks carrying sanctioned birch plywood enter the EU daily, purchased by European manufacturers of climbing walls, toys, flooring, furniture, and other goods. This affects all 27 EU member states. It is noted that the largest volumes are sent to Poland, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Estonia.
"Seven out of the 10 largest Russian exporters of birch plywood, as the investigation revealed, continue to supply the EU. Two of these companies are linked to billionaire oligarchs who met with [illegitimate Russian president Vladimir] Putin on the day of the invasion of Ukraine. One of them is Alexey Mordashov, listed in the EU sanctions, and the other is Vladimir Yevtushenkov, the main shareholder of Russia's largest timber company. State-owned enterprises in Belarus also facilitate this trade and sell banned timber to the EU," the Earthsight report states.
Investigators note that the military sector of the Russian Federation controls the country's forests and profits from their sale.
"Greedy smugglers effortlessly launder plywood through third countries and deliver it to Europe, exploiting loopholes in the sanctions system. It is so easy that currently about one-fifth of all birch plywood sold in Europe is considered illegal Russian 'blood timber.' In light of the unfavorable circumstances for Ukraine, Poland should use its EU presidency to put an end to this shameful trade once and for all," stated Tara Ganesh, head of Earthsight's timber and sanctions team.