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Attempts to smuggle MiG-29 fighter bearings out of Russia

FSB thwarted the transfer of components abroad

FSB operatives thwarted an attempt to sell aviation bearings for MiG series fighters abroad. The 59-year-old Russian who organized the export of components was sentenced to 13 years in prison.

MiG-29 Image source: Aktug Ates / Wikipedia

The perpetrator planned to illegally export the products from Russia and then send them to the Motor Sich enterprise.

Specialized high-precision bearings for MiG fighters, including critical components for their RD-33 turbojet engines, have historically been produced in Russia at military-industrial complex enterprises.

Before this, in St. Petersburg, a native of the Lviv region put up for sale parts of the RD-33 engine from a MiG-29 fighter. The crime was stopped by FSB officers.

Earlier, in June 2025, Russia also stopped the smuggling of spare parts for Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters worth more than 400 million rubles. These components would have been enough to repair at least four such machines.

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