Ireland faces pressure over alumina shipments to Russia amid Ukraine war

A cargo ship named the Karin departed Ireland's River Shannon estuary this week carrying alumina, a white powder used to make aluminum for missiles, drones and other weapons. The vessel is bound for Russia, where some of the material reportedly ends up in military supplies.

A Russian-owned refinery in Aughinish, southern Ireland, is Europe's largest alumina facility and regularly ships the substance directly to St. Petersburg and other Russian ports. Alumina is refined from bauxite mined mainly in Guinea, Australia and China, and can be processed into alloys for aircraft and rocket fuel.

“It would be unthinkable for Ireland to be contributing, even in that indirect way, to Putin's war machine.”

Almost five years after Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, alumina has not been included in European sanctions meant to weaken Russia's economy. This allows the Irish refinery to continue exports despite the war.

Irish lawmaker Ivana Bacik, leader of the opposition Labour Party, said it would be unthinkable for Ireland to contribute indirectly to Putin's war machine. Dozens of European leaders gathered in Dublin this week to discuss support for Ukraine.

Government minister Niall Collins told The Associated Press there is absolutely no evidence the material reaches military supply chains. The government has not published findings from its investigation into alumina shipments.

Aughinish Alumina stated its product has no connection to the Russian military supply chain. The company hired an independent firm to conduct monthly audits for Irish authorities to improve traceability.

A summit of the 47-nation European Political Community took place in Dublin on Thursday, followed by a meeting of European Union leaders.