Russia opens antitrust probe into military equipment retailers

Ozon Holdings

30/09/2022 12:12

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      This content was produced in Russia where the law
restricts
coverage of Russian military operations in Ukraine.
    

  
       MOSCOW, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Russia's competition
watchdog opened a series of investigations  on Friday into price
rises for military goods as demand rose  amid Moscow's drive to
enlist hundreds of thousands more Russians for its military
operation in Ukraine.
    The federal anti-monopoly service (FAS) said it was looking
into reports of sharp price rises for goods ranging from
ammunition to army boots at six retail outlets.
    The probe concerns rising prices for "ammunition, tactical
clothing, sleeping bags, thermal underwear, backpacks, trekking
shoes, hiking accessories and other items," the FAS said in a
statement.
    The competition regulator said it had sent requests to
Russia's largest online retailers - Wildberries, Ozon and Yandex
- as well as the Sportmaster chain and two specialist military
clothes and tactical equipment retailers, Voentorg and Hakki, to
provide information on sales prices and dynamics over the last
two months.
    The investigations come after several Russian
parliamentarians made complaints about price rises for military
products and equipment following President Vladimir Putin's
announcement last week of Russia's first mobilisation since
World War Two.
    Russia's defence ministry says it will draft around 300,000
new personnel to support Russia's military actions in Ukraine. 
    The FAS said it could open antitrust proceedings against the
retailers if "signs of unfair behaviour or sellers setting
unreasonable prices are detected".
 (Reporting by Reuters)