That there is Russian influence in the Macedonian mines is also confirmed in an analysis of the research center of the European Parliament dedicated to the influence of the Kremlin through the economies of the countries of the Western Balkans.
The analysis, which refers to expert reports, says that, in the case of Macedonia, instead of through direct Russian investments, it is done covertly through offshore networks or companies established in the member states of the European Union.
“The economic pressure of Russia extends to other Macedonian companies as well. From 2005 to 2015, Solvay owned Sa-Sa, the lead-zinc and copper mine, as well as Buchim, the country’s most productive copper and gold mine,” reads the report.
Solvay denies any connection with the Russian state and its politics, but on the other hand, the former director of the Buchim mine in Radovish, Dmitry Kudryakov, ended up on the US blacklist for spreading Russian influence.
