According to a report by the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP), Russia managed to import $30 million worth of aircraft tires from Western and other foreign manufacturers last year despite facing sanctions. Through the use of third-country intermediaries, Russia was able to obtain critical components from companies such as Goodyear, Dunlop, Bridgestone, and Michelin. The majority of these imports came from Michelin, with 70% of the tires reportedly used by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s plane. Despite sanctions imposed by the EU, U.K., U.S., and Japan on the sale of aviation tires to Russia, Moscow was able to procure these components through various intermediaries in China, Turkey, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and central Asian countries.
The report did not find any wrongdoing on the part of the companies involved, as they mostly used intermediaries to conduct business with Russia. However, there was evidence suggesting that some parts were flowing directly from the West to Russia. Both Michelin and Goodyear have claimed that they suspended sales to Russia. Additionally, an investigative report by InformNapalm revealed that Russia is using French equipment from companies like Thales and Sagem to maintain its Su-30SM fighter aircraft, with the help of a Kazakh company called ARC Group. The Su-30SM is a modernized version of the Sukhoi Su-30 jet, which has been widely used in the conflict against Ukraine.
In response to Western sanctions, Russia has been resorting to smuggling and other schemes to acquire sanctioned goods. The NACP previously released a report in December listing around 2,500 foreign-made components found in Russian weaponry on the battlefield, with a significant portion originating from the U.S. This indicates that despite sanctions and restrictions, Russia has been able to find ways to obtain necessary components for its defense industry. The use of third-country intermediaries and the smuggling of goods have allowed Russia to circumvent sanctions and continue its military activities.
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has led to increased scrutiny on the ways in which Russia acquires necessary components for its defense industry. By utilizing third-country intermediaries and engaging in smuggling activities, Russia has been able to overcome sanctions imposed by Western countries and continue its military operations. The reliance on foreign manufacturers for critical components like aircraft tires and French equipment for fighter aircraft demonstrates Russia’s ability to adapt to the restrictions placed on its defense industry. Despite efforts to undermine Russia’s defense capabilities, the country has found ways to navigate around sanctions and continue its military activities.
The use of intermediaries from countries like China, Turkey, and the UAE has allowed Russia to access critical components from Western manufacturers despite sanctions. Companies like Michelin and Goodyear have suspended sales to Russia in response to these revelations, but the flow of parts from the West to Russia continues through various channels. The complexity of the supply chain and the involvement of multiple countries in facilitating these transactions highlight the challenges faced by Western countries in enforcing sanctions and restricting Russia’s access to military-use materials. Despite these obstacles, Russia has shown resilience in finding alternative ways to procure necessary components for its defense industry.
