Anna Hartz
Sanctions failed to stop this critical technology reaching Russia
Modern weapons depend on more than soldiers and ammunition. Behind every missile, air defense system, and military vehicle is a complex manufacturing process that requires highly advanced machinery. One of the most important tools in this process is the CNC machine, which can cut and shape metal with extreme precision.
Western manufacturers left Russia
Before the war in Ukraine, Russia relied heavily on imported CNC machines. The country had very limited domestic production and depended on foreign suppliers for much of this technology.
After Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, many Western manufacturers announced they were leaving the Russian market. Companies producing dual-use technologies, including CNC equipment, said they would stop supplying products that could support Russia’s military industry, reports United24Media.
However, new information suggests that Western technology is still finding its way into Russian factories.
The key issue is that companies such as Germany’s Siemens and Japan’s Fanuc continue selling CNC systems to customers in countries outside Russia. Many of these sales are completely legal. Chinese manufacturers purchase the systems and install them into machines produced in China. Once assembled, the equipment is sold as a Chinese product.
Because China has not joined sanctions against Russia, many of these machines later end up in Russian industrial facilities.
Documents reviewed by Ukrainian sources show that Russian distributors continue supplying equipment equipped with Siemens and Fanuc systems to factories linked to the defense sector. Some of these customers reportedly include companies connected to Rostec, Kalashnikov, and Uralvagonzavod.
The loophole
One distributor, Promoil, remained active even after being placed under U.S. sanctions. The company continued importing machines produced in China and sold them to Russian customers. Investigators also found evidence that some equipment was rebranded under lesser-known names that helped disguise its true origins.
Researchers identified several Chinese and Taiwanese manufacturers behind these machines. Many of the products were equipped with Western-developed control systems that remain highly valued inside Russia.
At the same time, Russia is trying to reduce its dependence on foreign technology. Defense companies are developing replacement parts for Western machines and working on domestic CNC systems that could eventually replace Siemens and Fanuc products.
For now, though, Western technology continues to play an important role in Russia’s industrial and military production. Despite sanctions and restrictions, the supply network remains active, largely through Chinese intermediaries and global manufacturing chains.
