• While the Cybertruck isn’t sold in Russia, there’s already at least one Foundation Series model on local roads.
  • Sanctions ban cars worth more than €50,000 from being imported into Russia from the European Union.
  • People looking to bypass sanctions often attempt to pass vehicles through Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.

Lithuanian authorities have seized a pair of Tesla Cybertrucks suspected of being part of an illegal import operation to Russia, potentially violating international sanctions. Looks like those cold war tensions never truly went out of style… for some

The two Cybertrucks were stopped while crossing through the Šalčininkai border checkpoint between Lithuania and Belarus, raising the suspicion of officers who believe they may have then been transported to Russia.

Read: Tesla Cybertruck Foundation Series Gets Tactical Grey Interior And Range Boost With New Tires

Following the escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, sanctions have been imposed on Russia, prohibiting the export of cars worth more than €50,000 (about $53,700 at current exchange rates) from the European Union to the country.

Customs officers in Lithuania believe that roughly 50% of vehicles valued over €50,000 exported from the EU are passing through countries like Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan before ending up in Russia.

Authorities from the Vilnius branch of the Customs Criminal Service have launched an investigation into these Teslas, believing they violated international sanctions. The two cars are currently being stored at the Lithuania customs office and while the two drivers were questioned, they were later released.

While the Cybertruck is not officially sold in Russia—or anywhere else in Europe, for that matter—a handful of examples have reached the Old Continent. This includes at least one Cybertruck Foundation Series that already calls Moscow home and was recently featured in several comprehensive YouTube reviews.

It’s unclear exactly how this Cybertruck was imported into Russia, but where there’s a will, there’s a way. We suspect the owner was also willing to pay a hefty premium to drive the electric pickup on local roads.

It is unlikely that Tesla will officially sell the Cybertruck in Europe because of pedestrian safety regulations. There’s also little chance of the truck being sold in China and even pickup truck-friendly markets like Australia.