Kathrine Frich
A steady flow of Western made sniper rifles has appeared on front line videos and in troop footage.
An investigation shows how weapons banned for direct export to Russia are reaching Russian units through third country channels.
The trail includes brokers in the United States and suppliers in Central Asia.
How they bypass
Global News, working with The Insider, found that Cadex Defense rifles made in Canada have been spotted in the hands of a Russian sniper brigade that the report links to significant battlefield fatalities.
Canada banned arms exports to Russia in July 2023, yet investigators say rifles continued to arrive via intermediaries.
Customs records and serial numbers examined by journalists point to shipments routed through the United States and Kazakhstan.
Some of the rifles traced in the footage match consignments that an American firm exported to Kazakhstan between 2022 and 2023, according to documents reviewed by reporters.
Supply chain routes
Investigators say a Kazakh distributor then moved the rifles into Russian hands.
The Kazakh company named in reporting saw its revenues rise sharply after the start of the war in Ukraine, the investigation notes.
After the media inquiry, Cadex Defense removed the US importer from its client list.
The case is not unique. Journalists and analysts say Russia has repeatedly obtained components and weapons via third countries.
Components for sniper ammunition and advanced electronics for aircraft have surfaced in regional supply chains in recent years, the reporting adds.
Cadex CDX 33
The rifles identified in Russian possession include the Cadex CDX 33 Patriot Lite, a bolt action design chambered for the .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge.
The weapon is designed for long range precision and is marketed to military, law enforcement and civilian shooters in markets such as the United States, Canada and Poland.
Manufacturer specifications and independent tests cited by the reporting indicate the rifle can deliver sub MOA accuracy in ideal conditions.
That level of precision is what makes the weapon valuable to trained snipers and hard to replicate with older domestic systems.
Technical edge
The CDX 33’s features include a long Bartlein barrel and an adjustable trigger.
The design uses a modular stock and a handguard with mounting points for accessories.
Those elements combine to give consistent accuracy at extended ranges and to permit customization for specific operational needs.
The rifle is normally paired with high quality ammunition.
Sources Global News, The Insider, Wirtualna Polska
