British equipment boosts Russian military industry despite sanctions — Sky News

Sky News reveals that British exports to Kyrgyzstan have surged by over 1,100%.

An analysis by Sky News indicates that British companies are exporting equipment and machinery worth hundreds of millions of pounds, likely ending up in Russia. This practice undermines sanctions and enhances Russian military capabilities.

Despite a 74% decrease in the flow of British goods directly to Russia due to sanctions, the products still reaching the country primarily include food items, medical supplies, and other humanitarian goods.

Meanwhile, British exports to several former Soviet republics, ranging from Uzbekistan to Georgia, have seen unprecedented increases. Heavy machinery and vehicles dominate exports to Kyrgyzstan, unable to be directly supplied to Russia. British exports to Armenia have also experienced a sharp rise.

The EU has identified 45 categories of "conventional high-priority goods" present in Russian weapons on the battlefield, as per the publication. Sky News reveals that British exports of these goods to four Caucasus and Central Asian countries, documented for use in harming Ukrainian citizens, have risen by over 500% since the beginning of the war.

The primary category of goods exported to these regions consists of parts for airplanes, helicopters, or unmanned aerial vehicles, with British companies exporting these goods totaling £6 million ($7.58 million).

Other goods supplied from the UK include data processing machinery, aeronautical equipment, and radio navigation aids.

• In the summer of 2023, "Verstka," a Russian publication, revealed that the Russian Federation was importing chips, machine tools, and spare parts for the military industry to bypass sanctions.
• Andriy Yermak, the head of the President's Office, stated that Western and Asian components were identified in Russian Ka-52 helicopters.
• According to Politico, Russia is evading sanctions on weapon production by utilizing components from American and Chinese companies.
• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserted that all Russian missiles incorporate numerous components produced abroad.
• In Moldova, companies were uncovered selling $15 million worth of aircraft parts to Russia starting in 2022.
• CNN reported that the missile used by the Russian Federation in the attack on Ukraine, originating from North Korea, contained parts from American and European sources.