Overview

• British experts have identified over 200 firms, half of which are not Russian, involved in evading sanctions to supply Russia with electronic components for weapons.
• Conflict Armament Research and RUSI highlight Russia's use of international networks, including intelligence operatives, to circumvent sanctions on microelectronics.
• Recent investigations in Germany, Lithuania, and Hong Kong expose illegal procurement networks supplying Russia with Western-made technology.
• U.S. semiconductor firms struggle to trace chip sales due to outsourcing, complicating efforts to prevent sanctions evasion.
• Russia imported $1.7 billion worth of foreign-made microchips in the past year despite sanctions, highlighting the challenge of curbing technology transfer.