Sanctions have had minimal impact on Moscow's ability to import arms and military equipment - Study

The New Voice of Ukraine
·2 min read
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Russia successfully circumvents Western sanctions and continues to import weapons and components for their production
Russia successfully circumvents Western sanctions and continues to import weapons and components for their production

Despite sanctions, Russian imports of military components and equipment have decreased only slightly the U.S.-funded news outlet Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported on Jan. 12, citing a joint study by the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) and the Yermak-McFaul Expert Group on Russian Sanctions.

The study shows the extent to which Russia has circumvented U.S., EU, and G7 sanctions on weapons and their components.

Russia imported nearly $9 billion worth of military goods between January and October 2023, only 10% less than before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Almost half of Russia's imports during this period were produced by Western companies. 

Russia has even managed to increase its capacity to produce drones and aircraft.

"The analysis shows that, while export controls have had some impact on trade flows, Russia continues to import large quantities of goods needed for military production," the KSE study says.

Read also: Russia continues to import Western microchips for its missile production

Most goods now enter Russia through third countries, primarily China, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

Western sanctions have affected nearly 2,800 components found in the remains of Russian missiles, drones and equipment on the battlefield in Ukraine, according to the study.

However, 42 foreign-made parts and various components were found in Russian X-59 air-launched missiles, according to Ukraine’s National Agency on Corruption Prevention.

Nearly 72% of the imported weapons components were manufactured in the United States, 6% inSwitzerland, 5% in Japan, 4% in China, and 1-3% each by Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, and other countries.

According to Christian Freuding, Head of the Special Staff for Ukraine at the German Federal Defense Ministry, Germany underestimated Russia's weapons production capabilities after the imposition of sanctions.

Read also: Ukrainian anti-graft agency uncovers over 40 non-Russian components in X-59 missiles

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