Swedish tax authority Skatteverket has ruled that Rusal, the metals giant owning the Aughinish Alumina refinery in Co Limerick, Ireland, remains under the control of sanctioned Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. The ruling states that all of Rusal's European operations, including Aughinish, should be subject to EU sanctions targeting Russia, including asset freezes. The decision follows an investigation into sanctions evasion with arrests of Kubal executives in Sweden. Ukrainian President Zelenskiy criticized the failure to sanction such companies at the EU presidency opening in Dublin, highlighting their role in supplying Russia’s military through materials like alumina, used in aluminum for weapons. The ruling raises pressure on Ireland and the EU to act on Aughinish exports to Russia amid ongoing Russian military aggression in Ukraine.

Swedish tax authority Skatteverket has ruled that Rusal, the metals giant owning the Aughinish Alumina refinery in Co Limerick, Ireland, remains under the control of sanctioned Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska. The ruling states that all of Rusal's European operations, including Aughinish, should be subject to EU sanctions targeting Russia, including asset freezes. The decision follows an investigation into sanctions evasion with arrests of Kubal executives in Sweden. Ukrainian President Zelenskiy criticized the failure to sanction such companies at the EU presidency opening in Dublin, highlighting their role in supplying Russia’s military through materials like alumina, used in aluminum for weapons. The ruling raises pressure on Ireland and the EU to act on Aughinish exports to Russia amid ongoing Russian military aggression in Ukraine.