The 160 - Company Backdoor: How Western Tech Reaches Russian Military Plants
Journalists have identified 160 Russian companies that purchase Western components and equipment ultimately used by the Russian defense industry, arguing that sanctioning these… 
Journalists have identified 160 Russian companies that purchase Western components and equipment ultimately used by the Russian defense industry, arguing that sanctioning these intermediaries in one coordinated move could seriously disrupt weapons production. The finding comes from an investigation by The Insider, built on a data-driven approach: comparing domestic procurement records with 2024 customs data.
The key insight is not just that sanctioned goods are still entering Russia—it’s how they enter. Russian defense enterprises rarely import directly. Instead, they rely on a sprawling ecosystem of private intermediaries, mostly small and…
