In 2023, Russia imported $22 billion worth of spare parts for the military-industrial complex — Vlasyuk

Despite facing numerous sanctions, Russia continues to import significant quantities of microelectronics and equipment for missile and drone production, with assistance from China and neutral intermediary countries.

Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and Secretary of the Yermak-McFaul International Sanctions Group, highlighted this information in an interview on Hromadske Radio.

Vlasiuk pointed out that Western components are present in Russian weapons, and most of the missiles used in recent large-scale attacks contain Western components. In 2023, it is estimated that Russia imported $22 billion worth of critical elements for its military-industrial complex. These imports include not only components directly integrated into weapons but also technologies used in production and equipment.

The international community closely monitors the details of these supplies, and many countries worldwide are imposing sanctions to curb them. The sanctions coalition, comprising 40 countries that have implemented various measures against Russia, faces challenges in dealing with producers, suppliers, and intermediaries involved in these transactions.

Vlasiuk noted that Russia primarily relies on China and intermediary countries to obtain necessary goods. In China, where 40-50% of microelectronics is produced, Chinese companies actively trade with Russia. Additionally, European or American companies may sell products to neutral countries, which then export these goods to Russia. Vlasiuk emphasized the need to work with countries engaged in re-exports and the companies producing sanctioned goods to effectively control the supply chain.

He expressed optimism about seeing significant changes in the dynamics of microelectronics supplies to Russia in the first months of the current year as a result of ongoing efforts to address the issue.