Rybinsk Motors subject to extensive theft of engine parts according to Yaroslavl police

Published: 6/22/1999

According to reports on June 21st 1999, on the Russian TV station, NTV, the engine manufacturer, Rybinsk Motors, which is based in Russia's Yaroslavl Region, has been the victim of a widespread conspiracy to steal engine parts. The reports claim that police were alerted by Rybinsk Motors and subsequently discovered an extensive network of theft. They arrested over 20 suspects, most of whom were members of staff. Mr Vyacheslav Petukhov, Head of Yaroslavl Region Internal Affairs Directorate expects that more arrests and prosecutions will follow. According to Mr Anatoliy Lisitsyn, Governor of Yaroslavl Region, the thefts go back to 1996 and 1997. He alleges that the buyers of the stolen parts are companies involved in aircraft construction, but was unwilling to specify names, as searches were under way in some Russian towns for Rybinsk parts. Mr Petukhov stated that: 'We are not only concerned with the sales market. We are also concerned with things like public security and flight safety.' He added that airlines using the parts were being traced for safety checks. Given the lucrative nature of the engine parts business, such a conspiracy is not surprising in an economy undermined by illegal activity. For Rybinsk Motors, however, which is one of the more successful Russia aerospace companies, it must be a significant source of irritation. Much of their revenue currently comes from engine maintenance and overhaul and such thefts have no doubt meant that some airlines have avoided payment.

Article ID: 612