Despite Austria’s declared neutrality and its refusal to send weapons to Kyiv, the country’s Swarovski Optik has continued supplying high-end rifle scopes to Russia throughout the full-scale war, according to a new investigation by iStories. Customs records show dozens of scopes — the kind used by elite Russian units — entering the country via intermediaries in the UAE. Meduza shares the outlet’s key findings in English.
Austria’s Swarovski Optik — the high-end optics division of the Swarovski brand best known for its jewelry — has continued shipping rifle scopes to Russia throughout the full-scale war in Ukraine, according to a new investigation by iStories. Customs records reviewed by journalists show the company’s products are still entering the country despite Austria’s policy of “permanent neutrality,” which Vienna has cited as the reason for refusing to supply weapons to Kyiv. At the same time, Austria has continued to send dozens of Steyr rifles and pistols to Russia — firearms that have been used on the battlefield in Ukraine, as The Insider previously reported.
According to customs data, at least 90 Swarovski Optik scopes have been brought into Russia since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, including 57 units in 2023 alone. Their total value is nearly 21 million rubles, or $261,800.
High-end scopes used by hunters — and by elite units
On paper, the scopes are imported “for hunting, tourism, and sport shooting,” and the documentation specifies that they are not “military goods.” But Swarovski’s optics are fully suitable for combat use, a Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT) analyst told iStories, speaking on condition of anonymity.
“These are high-quality optics, popular with hunters. There’s no issue mounting them on combat weapons,” the expert said, noting that the only potential drawback is the cost.
Swarovski scopes are expensive; they typically retail for $3,000–$5,000. Because of their price, these scopes generally end up in elite Russian units, military analyst and former Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) officer Ivan Stupak told iStories.
Swarovski Optik has long been considered one of the world’s top optics manufacturers, alongside Germany’s Carl Zeiss, he added. Their products are suitable for competitive shooting and sniper work — and therefore for military tasks.
Tracking their presence at the front is difficult, Stupak added, because Russian personnel often wrap their rifles in cloth and camouflage materials.
Routed through the UAE
Swarovski Optik now ships its products to Russia via intermediaries in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, the intermediary was BMH Equipment LLC; in 2023, it was Bynuna Military & Hunting Equipment Trading LLC. Both firms are registered in Abu Dhabi. Before the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Swarovski scopes went directly from Austria to Russia.
The importer of record is a Russian company called the Center for Electronic Commerce (TsEK). TsEK manufactures its own optics and thermal-imaging gear under the Fortuna and Arkon brands, while also distributing foreign products on the Russian market, according to Arkon’s website. Its optics are used by Russia’s security services, among others. Procurement records show that TsEK has supplied equipment to military units linked to the FSB and the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR).
After the full-scale invasion, TsEK’s products began flowing to the front as well. Pro-war bloggers have repeatedly raised money to purchase Arkon and Fortuna optics for Russian troops.
Other Western scopes in Russia
Ads for Swarovski Optik scopes appear in specialized Telegram channels where Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine often shop for equipment. Russian resellers list the Austrian scopes at prices ranging from 300,000–500,000 rubles ($3,700–$6,200). “[Swarovski] DS scopes are invaluable for trophy hunters,” one ad reads. “Top-tier speed, distance, and measurement performance means nothing gets away.”
Swarovski isn’t the only Western brand currently available in Russia. German-made Schmidt & Bender and Steiner scopes are on the market, as are Austrian-made Kahles products. Importers are also offering U.S.-built Nightforce scopes.
Customs data shows that Kahles and Nightforce scopes are imported by a company called Navigator, which uses intermediaries in Turkey and Canada. Among Navigator’s partners is Lobaev Arms — a Russian sniper and long-range rifle manufacturer whose weapons are widely used on the Ukrainian front.
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