Russia purchased $18 billion worth of machines for weapons production from Europe and China
In 2023 and the first seven months of 2024, Russia managed to purchase more than 22,000 computer numerically controlled machines (CNC machines), components and consumables for $18.2 billion.
This is stated in a study by the Economic Security Council of Ukraine, Censor.NET reports.
Prior to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia's dependence on imports of CNC machines was 70-90%. For related original components, this figure was even higher - 80-95%, they said.
Who manufactured the machines purchased by Russia?
The top three countries producing equipment for Russia are:
- China accounts for more than 62% of all deliveries worth $2.6 billion;
- Taiwan - 8.9% by $371 million;
- South Korea - 5.47% by $228 million.
Almost a tenth of Russia's imports came from European manufacturers. Russia received more than 10,000 CNC machines worth $405 million, including:
- Italy - 4,459 machines for $168.8 million.
- Germany - 2,849 machines for $139.9 million.
Russia also purchased components and consumables for machines worth more than $14 billion. Of these, more than $7 billion worth of goods were manufactured in China, but a significant share was also produced in Europe. More than 20% of the $2.6 billion worth of components were made in Switzerland, and 3.5% of the half-billion-dollar worth of components and materials were made in Germany.
Schemes to circumvent restrictions
The study noted that since the end of 2023, the sanctions coalition has stepped up efforts to block Russia's access to CNC machines. The European Union's sanctions packages imposed strict bans on the export and re-export of equipment to Russia.
However, they have not been fully extended to the activities of European manufacturers' subsidiaries in third countries, such as Turkey, China, India and Malaysia.
Russia received at least 57 machines worth more than $26.5 million manufactured by subsidiaries of European brands, as well as components and consumables worth more than $9.5 million.
For example, the Istanbul division of the German company Emag Salach GmbH manufactured at least 17 CNC machines worth more than $14.7 million, which were exported to Russia. Emag's equipment is used in Russian military plants, including the Titan-Barricades Research and Production Center, which produces ballistic missile launchers and artillery system components. Russia has also received products from subsidiaries of other leading European brands such as Trumpf, DMG Mori, Chiron, Grob, Schneider Electric, Siemens, and others, as summarized by the Economic Security Council of Ukraine.
