BelOMO

Agat-18k half-frame camera made by BelOMO
BelOMO 10× achromatic triplet loupe
Thermal vision sights

BelOMO or Belorusskoe Optiko-Mechanichesckoye Obyedinenie (Беломо or Белорусское оптико-механическое объединение, Belarus Optical & Mechanical Association) was founded in Minsk in 1971 in Byelorussian SSR, Soviet Union, now Belarus. The main factory is the Minskiy Mechanichesckiy Zavod imeni S.I. Vavilova, opened in Minsk 1957 and named after the Soviet physicist Sergey Ivanovich Vavilov (1891–1951).

At first, BelOMO made photographic equipment and lens-making machinery for state use. It now manufactures a wide range of products, including military and consumer optical products. During the 1980s it produced the Agat-18 and Agat-18K half-frame 35mm cameras, still popular among Lomographic photographers.

A joint venture with German optics maker Zeiss was begun in 1995 and ended 2023/24. The firm produces lenses and optical elements for microscopes and other optical equipment with ISO 9001 certification.

MMZ—BelOMO factory estimates its global market share in optical sights, rangefinders and NVDs at 2-3%, with 10% of Russian market and 80% of local market.[1] The factory also produces gas meters, car units, infra-red emitters, juicers and other civil products.[1]

International sanctions

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In 2022, BelOMO was blacklisted by the European Union, the US, Switzerland and Japan, in response to Belarus's enabling of and support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[2]

In May 2023, Ukraine imposed sanctions against several BelOMO subsidiaries[3][4] On July 1, 2023, Ukraine further blacklisted the CEO of BelOMO Alexander Moroz, the director of the STC "LEMT" Alexey Shkadarevich and several enterprises of the association.[5] In August 2023, BelOMO was also blacklisted by Canada[6] and the United Kingdom.[7] On December 5, 2023, the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has added BelOMO, LEMT BelOMO and Zenit BelOMO, another BelOMO subsidiary, as well as their Directors general, Moroz, Shkadarevich and Gaichuk, to its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List.[8]

In April 2024, Dzmitry Mikhaltsou, the technical director of the Vavilov Plant, was also added to the SDN list.[9] In June 2024, BelOMO, Moroz, LEMT BelOMO and JSC Zenit BelOMO were added to the European Union's sanctions list.[10] In July, Switzerland,[11] Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Ukraine[12] joined these sanctions; New Zealand blacklisted BelOMO and Moroz in September.[13] On August 23, 2024, the United States announced sanctions against yet another BelOMO subsidiary, the Diaproektor plant, as well as its director and two deputy directors.[14]

Following sanctions, BelOMO has obtained parts and supplies from several Chinese companies.[15]

Camera models

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References

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  1. ^ a b Информационный меморандум Archived 2020-06-22 at the Wayback Machine (in Russian)
  2. ^ "BelOMO Holding". National Agency on Corruption Prevention. Archived from the original on 2024-03-22. Retrieved 2024-07-25.
  3. ^ "UNITARY ENTERPRISE "NTC "LEMT" BELOMO"". National Agency on Corruption Prevention. Archived from the original on 2024-03-22. Retrieved 2024-07-25.
  4. ^ "ВАТ "ММЗ ІМЕНІ С.І.ВАВІЛОВА – КЕРІВНА КОМПАНІЯ ХОЛДИНГУ "БІЛОМО"". National Agency on Corruption Prevention. Archived from the original on 2024-03-22. Retrieved 2024-07-25.
  5. ^ "Белорусский академик попал под украинские санкции". Narodnaja Volya (in Russian). 2023-07-01. Archived from the original on 2023-07-07. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  6. ^ "Regulations Amending the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations: SOR/2023-178". Canada Gazette. 16 August 2023. Archived from the original on 2024-07-25. Retrieved 2024-07-25.
  7. ^ "UK sanctions six Belarusian companies". Interfax. August 8, 2023. Archived from the original on September 8, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  8. ^ "Treasury Targets Belarusian Revenue Generators for Lukashenka, Human Rights Abuses, and Cogs in Russia's War Machine". United States Department of the Treasury. December 5, 2023.
  9. ^ "Treasury Targets Belarusian Sanctions Evasion Networks and Cogs in Russia's War Machine". United States Department of the Treasury. April 15, 2024. Archived from the original on June 25, 2024. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  10. ^ "Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/1738 of 24 June 2024". EUR-Lex.
  11. ^ "Ukraine: Switzerland adopts further sanctions against Russia". Federal Council of Switzerlandn.
  12. ^ "Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the alignment of certain third countries concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine". Council of Europe.
  13. ^ "Russia Sanctions Amendment Regulations (No 4) 2024". New Zealand Legislation.
  14. ^ "New Measures to Degrade Russia's Wartime Economy". United States Department of State. 2024-08-23.
  15. ^ "China companies supply Belarus defense contractor with Russia ties". Nikkei Asia. July 24, 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-25.
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53°55′1″N 27°37′17″E / 53.91694°N 27.62139°E / 53.91694; 27.62139

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