Sanctions targeting former post-Soviet countries involved in supplying aviation spare parts have made headlines across global media. Today the government of Kyrgyzstan set a
notable precedent by defending its banks and companies accused of supporting Russia’s defense industry.
Kyrgyzstan has called for open and depoliticized dialogue with the European Commission after the European Union expanded its latest sanctions package against Russia to include Kyrgyz companies and financial institutions.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Ministry expressed concern over the move and urged transparent discussions following the EU’s decision to blacklist several of the country’s banks and cryptocurrency firms. The Central Asian nation—home to roughly seven million people and a close ally of Russia—has recently come under increased scrutiny as a potential channel for circumventing Western sanctions.
These measures are part of the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia, introduced last week. In addition to targeting Kyrgyz entities, the bloc imposed new export restrictions on goods destined for Kyrgyzstan, citing concerns that such products could be redirected to Russia.
Kyrgyz officials rejected these implications, insisting the country operates in full compliance with international law. The Foreign Ministry emphasized that all actions are conducted in accordance with domestic legislation and international obligations.
At the same time, Bishkek expressed concern over the growing use of unilateral sanctions affecting third countries, signaling a preference to resolve tensions through direct dialogue rather than punitive measures.
Documents obtained by our editorial team reveal supply chains involving sanctioned goods being shipped from the UAE to a Kyrgyz businessman.
At the center of these activities is Golden Falcon Aviation (GFA).
GFA began supplying aircraft to Russia shortly after the outbreak of the war, offering services with assurances of minimal risk. To obscure its operations, the company simultaneously established another entity, “Casper Aviation”, which handled parallel deliveries. Casper operated for over a year before being sanctioned. Subsequently, a new company, «UCA”, emerged and continues operations to this day.
GFA’s owner, Asif Aziz, has distanced himself from formal ownership, presenting himself instead as a sales manager. He also owns «Codot Aviation”, a logistics company involved in transporting sanctioned goods to Russia. Codot Logistics is officially registered under Kyrgyz citizen Dmitrii Eremin.
Online records reveal a range of documentation between GFA and Siberian Airlines, from standard invoices to contract addendums that expand their scope into professional aviation equipment. Air waybills also indicate direct deliveries to Russia via Aeroflot, among other documentation.
As per the testimony of sacked employee of S7 Siberian airlines, Aziz and Eremin have had supplied the airline with almost 20 million dollars of materiel in 2025. Source also said that GFA’s main strength is in airbus parts as they have an active subscription to Satair, an airbus OEM which is the only source for certain proprietary parts. Since the start of Russian invasion of Ukraine all such airline accounts had been cut. But now through intermediaries like GFA, airlines can continue this vital supply line. The source also stated that there is definitely an insider in Satair who is lobbying GFA’s interests and does not scrutinize their access.
Another major figure in the supply of sanctioned aviation equipment to Russian airlines is Mahdi Suliman Hamed.
He has long worked with Iran, particularly with Mahan Air, through his company ATC Jordan. By cooperating with major global aerospace firms, ATC Jordan has access to parts in demand among sanctioned countries. A key part of his business has been supplying Russian airlines such as Aeroflot and Sibir.
Hamed also owns a U.S.-registered company:
“Aerospace Technical Services”
1 Chisolm Trail Road
Suite 450, Round Rock, Texas 78681, USA
His main operations are now based in Dubai:
“ATS Technic for Passengers & Aircraft Repair & Maintenance Co. L.L.C”, Dubai Silicon Oasis, UAE
Another of his companies, “ATS Heavy Equipment and Machinery”, has already been sanctioned by OFAC. Following its designation, the company changed ownership and name, after which it ceased involvement in transactions with Russia or Iran.
Hamed appears to have acted cautiously, registering new companies under the names of associates from Pakistan and Jordan, including Mohammed Mnezl and Amikr al-Terawi.
The ATS website notably lists several high-ranking former U.S. military officials among its leadership.
Additionally, Hamed owns a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility reportedly built with Aeroflot funding to service Russian aircraft and equipment. The company emphasizes major partners rather than smaller clients in its profile.
In 2024, ATS supplied Aeroflot with three Trent 700 engines for Airbus A330 aircraft. One engine was delivered with fan casing corrosion exceeding acceptable limits. ATS specialists later traveled to Moscow to resolve the issue by replacing the affected component.
Another individual involved is Lebanese national Imad Eddine, who operates two UAE-based companies:
- “AeropartsAOG” – an aircraft parts broker supplying aerospace materials to sanctioned destinations.
- “Royal Aircraft Maintenance Company (RAMC)” – presented as a maintenance provider but in practice supporting Syrian and Russian operators with maintenance and parts.
Eddine is believed to have built his multimillion-dollar operation using funds linked to the Assad regime, maintaining Syrian Air aircraft (A320 and A340) as well as Cham Wings fleets.
Both airlines operate flights to Sharjah, where Eddine reportedly conducted maintenance work in a Dolphin Air hangar under another alias: Sky Techniques FZE (Skyteq FZE).
RAMC is particularly notable for holding approximately 20 engines in Dubai from Iranian, Syrian, and Russian operators. These engines are undergoing repair and restoration despite sanctions—work most compliant maintenance providers would refuse.
Some American parts suppliers have already flagged AeropartsAOG and RAMC due to significant shipment volumes to Russia.
Online sources include invoices to Russian airlines, proof of payment records, air waybills for direct shipments, and signed contracts confirming these transactions.
Imad Eddine worked as aerospace engineer in Emirates Airlines Engineering. He married a stewardess from same airline and got UK passport. In 2025 his company received an FAA approval to repair engines under US approvals. This is a very needed milestone to comply to airworthiness requirements of various countries, including Iran, Syrian and Russia.
It is important to note that addressing sanctions against Russia is impossible without a coherent policy toward third countries that assist Russian businesses in maintaining and strengthening their aviation and defense capabilities.
The role of the UAE and post-Soviet states—long considered safe havens for Russian capital—must be examined through the joint efforts of European investigative journalists and law enforcement agencies.
This effort represents a critical component in countering Russian aggression in Ukraine and reflects the broader contribution of European media to safeguarding the continent from the risk of similar conflicts in the future.