Putin apparently continues to find ways to circumvent Western sanctions. According to reports, Russia also uses loopholes for military purposes.
Berlin - Russia's economy must massively ramp up its arms industry because weapons are becoming scarce for Russian armed forces at the front. When it comes to producing weapons, Vladimir Putin relies heavily on supplies of important equipment. According to Ukraine, Russia is able to obtain highly developed Western-made CNC machine tools through loopholes. These are used to produce weapons and ammunition for Russia.
Russia circumvents Western sanctions – Putin builds weapons for army at the front
CNC machines worth $355 million were identified in Russian industrial plants in 2023 alone. “Western CNC machine tools are used in manufacturing in Russia,” wrote the head of the Ukrainian presidential office, Andriy Yermak,
in a Telegram post on April 18, 2024, according to
The New Voice of Ukraine .
“This also includes the software for their operation. “Essentially it’s about making the weapons that kill us.” According to
The Euromaidan Press,
CNC machine tools are machines essential for modern weapons manufacturing. “Without these machines, Russia would not be able to produce weapons and wage war,” Yermak added.
Despite sanctions against Russia: Putin receives tools to build weapons
Since CNC machines are so-called dual-use products - i.e. a technology that can be used both civilly and militarily - there are loopholes to circumvent the sanctions. But how exactly do such machines get to Russia? The independent Russian website
iStories
writes that in general many machines and their components reach Russia via Turkey. Other important intermediaries are the United Arab Emirates and China.
The deliveries of CNC equipment would cause great concern for the Ukrainians' allies. Kamil Galeev, from investigative media Rhodus Intelligence, told
iStories:
"Even if imports from the West are stopped, Russia could continue the war for quite a long time by switching to Chinese machines with components from US allies."
Sanctions against Russia's economy: China increases delivery of CNC machines
China seems to be making a strong concession to Russia when it comes to supplying CNC machines. According to the
Financial Times,
Chinese shipments of modern machine tools to Russia have increased since the Ukraine war and have increased tenfold. Russian customs declarations show that Chinese manufacturers delivered CNC devices worth $68 million in July 2023. At the start of the Ukraine war, i.e. February 2022, the value delivered was only $6.5 million.
In March 2024 there were also reports that European CNC machines were being used in Russia. In a TV report from the Russian television station
Telekanal
Rybinsk-40
from May 2022, a CNC universal milling machine from a German manufacturer can be seen in the NPO Saturn factory in Rybinsk. In September 2023, a Bavarian company was suspected of continuing to supply CNC milling machines to Russia.
Putin wants to use loopholes to outsmart the West - but sanctions are taking effect
Putin doesn't just circumvent sanctions for building weapons. With his latest evasion tactics, the Russian president is trying to secure high profits in the oil trade as it comes under massive pressure. An important trading partner has withdrawn from business due to concerns about Western sanctions.