Russia evades tech sanctions, missile production exceeds prewar levels

The New York Times reports this, citing its own sources.

It is noted that this could lead to increased attacks on Ukraine in the coming months.

According to US officials, Russia was forced to dramatically slow down the production of missiles and other weapons for six months after the start of the full-scale invasion. But in late 2022, the Russian military-industrial complex began to gain momentum again, as Russia managed to deceive American export controls.

The publication explains that the terrorist country uses its intelligence services and defense ministry to run illegal networks of people who smuggle key components for weapons. They export them to other countries, from where the necessary components can be more easily delivered to Russia.

"In less than a year since the war began, Russia rebuilt trade in critical components by routing them through countries like Armenia and Turkey. US and European regulators have been trying to work together to curb the export of chips to Russia, but have struggled to stop the flow to pass through countries with ties to Moscow," the publication says. 

US officials note that at first, in particular in October 2022, sanctions helped, but Russia was able to adapt to them and increase weapons production.

• On Wednesday, September 13, the Council of the European Union decided to extend sanctions against Russian individuals and legal entities responsible for violating Ukraine's territorial integrity for six months.