Indian company supplied explosives to Russia despite U.S. sanctions risk

An Indian company exported $1.4 million worth of HMX, a high-grade explosive compound with military applications, to Russia in December 2024, according to Indian customs data reviewed by Reuters. The shipment took place despite U.S. warnings that entities aiding Russia’s war effort in Ukraine could face sanctions.

One of the recipients, Russian explosives manufacturer Promsintez, has known ties to the Russian military, according to an official from Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU). The official also confirmed that Ukraine targeted a Promsintez facility in an April drone strike.

HMX, also known as octogen, is commonly used in missile and torpedo warheads, rocket motors, and advanced explosives, according to the Pentagon’s Defense Technical Information Center. The U.S. government has labeled HMX “critical to Russia’s war effort” and has warned banks and companies against facilitating its sale to Moscow.

This marks the first public disclosure of HMX shipments from India to Russia.

While India has strengthened its strategic ties with the U.S. in recent years — largely to counterbalance China — it has maintained close military and economic relations with Moscow. Indian purchases of Russian oil have surged since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, defying Western attempts to choke off the Kremlin’s war economy through sanctions.

Earlier this month, U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump threatened to impose a 100% tariff on countries that continue importing Russian crude.

Legal experts say the U.S. Treasury Department has the authority to sanction companies that supply explosive compounds like HMX to Russia. The material is classified as a "high explosive," engineered for rapid detonation and significant destruction.

There is no indication that the shipment violated Indian law. One Indian government official familiar with the export said HMX has limited civilian uses, although its primary applications are military. India’s foreign ministry issued a statement defending the country’s export policies that India has been carrying out exports of dual-use items in line with its international non-proliferation commitments and a robust legal and regulatory framework that includes comprehensive risk assessments.

The U.S. State Department did not comment on the specific shipment but reiterated that it has warned India and other partners about the risks of doing business with Russia’s defense sector.

"India is a strategic partner with whom we engage in full and frank dialogue, including on India's relationship with Russia," a State Department spokesperson said.

"We have repeatedly made clear to all our partners, including India, that any foreign company or financial institution that does business with Russia's military industrial base are at risk of U.S. sanctions."