ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
Ukraine war

Russia procures tank parts from Japan and Taiwan via China

Documents show company in Shenzhen used to evade U.S., U.K. sanctions

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, inspects infantry fighting vehicles in November 2015. (Reuters/Alexei Nikolskyi/Sputnik/Kremlin)

KYIV/TOKYO -- A Russian arms maker is importing components for precision instruments made in Japan and Taiwan essential to tank production as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, Nikkei has learned.

According to information obtained by Nikkei, a person connected to the government of Belarus, an ally of Russia, set up a company in China after February 2022, when the full-scale invasion began, and the Russian arms maker has continued to import parts via the company. The information reveals that sanctions aimed at Russia's munitions industry are not functioning effectively, due to trades through a third country. U.S. and British authorities are aware of the situation and are expected to tighten the sanctions.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more