How Our Investigation into Irish Alumina Sparked an EU Scandal

Pressure is mounting on the EU to ban the export of alumina to Russia in its next sanctions package. This follows an investigation by OCCRP and partners revealing that Ireland-based Aughinish Alumina has been supplying the critical raw material to Russian smelters — which in turn feed into the supply chains of sanctioned weapons manufacturers whose weapons have been used on battlefields in Ukraine. OCCRP investigative journalist Eli Moskowitz speaks with Conor Gallagher, an investigative reporter at our partner The Irish Times, about the latest developments following the investigation, including heated responses from Irish and European politicians, and what could happen next. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: Conor Gallagher’s background and an overview of the collaborative investigation into Irish alumina exports. 00:40 – The Government's Investigation: Discussion on the Irish government's initial reaction and the pushback following the late-March publication. 01:44 – Contested Statistics: Breaking down the debate over exactly how much alumina is still flowing to Russia (83% vs. 51%). 02:34 – Irish Policymakers React: How ministers and the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheál Martin have publicly defended the plant. 03:59 – The Swedish Smelter Connection: Inside the Swedish Special Forces arrests at the Kubal smelter and the investigation into Oleg Deripaska’s control. 05:27 – The History of Lobbying: How Ireland and other EU states successfully lobbied against alumina sanctions in 2018 and 2022. 06:55 – Collateral Damage & Environmental Risks: The impact of a potential shutdown on local jobs, the power grid, and the massive red mud ecological risk near the River Shannon. 08:00 – Public Backlash & Hypocrisy: Why the story has kept momentum given Ireland’s strong, active support for Ukraine. 09:03 – The EU Front & Nationalization: Can the EU step in with funding to buy out or nationalize the plant? 11:13 – Can Russia Easily Replace the Supply?: Debunking the plant's lobbying claims that Russia could simply source its alumina from China or India. #ireland #alumina #russiaukrainewar