The Canadian tycoon accused of helping Russia’s ‘war machine’

The Canadian tycoon accused of helping Russia’s ‘war machine’ By Stewart Bell & Jeff Semple Global News Published September 18, 2026 15 min read The headquarters of “Canada’s most controversial arms supplier” is a sprawling warehouse complex in the United Arab Emirates that produces armoured vehicles for the world’s war zones. Gherman Goutorov started Streit Group in the 1990s in a strip mall north of Toronto, before moving his manufacturing hub far from the reach of Canadian arms control laws. Since then, the Canadian citizen has acquired a $12 million superyacht, a $6 million French chateau-style mansion and a pro-Russia celebrity brand ambassador, Steven Seagal. But a Global News investigation has found that Goutorov’s company has a significant record of business dealings with Russia, and is facing growing international scrutiny as a result. For the past year, Western governments have been turning up the heat on Goutorov, accusing the 60-year-old of equipping Russian forces amidst the Ukraine war. The 27 nations of the European Union, as well as Switzerland, placed Streit Group on their sanctions lists last October, and then added Goutorov himself in May. “Goutorov is supporting Russia’s military and industrial complex by being involved in the supply of military technology and equipment,” the EU wrote. On Aug. 6, the Canadian government sanctioned Streit Group as well, claiming the company’s vehicles were used by Russia’s Rosgvardia, which is involved in the Ukraine war. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said that “by supplying Russian entities with defence products, Streit Group continues to feed Russia’s war machine.” She did not provide further details, but records uncovered by Global News show the company opened an armoured vehicle factory east of Moscow in 2009. Customs records also show that Streit Group continued trading with Russia even after President Vladimir Putin launched his 2014 and 2022 invasions of Ukraine. The company, meanwhile, has started manufacturing a line of drones that appear identical to models sold by a Russian government-backed Moscow business. ADVERTISEMENT Streit Group, which emerged from Ontario but shifted its head office to the Emirates in 2012, has not responded to questions from Global News. One of the world’s largest armoured vehicle makers, it has previously dismissed concerns about its record, saying it follows UAE law. “Streit Group has denied responsibility for how its vehicles are modified…