New Research: Under the radar - How Russia outmanoeuvres western sanctions with help from its neighbours

This new paper examines the practices used to evade sanctions imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, focusing on the import–export operations of Russia, Belarus, Georgia, and Kazakhstan.

The research reveals that contrary to expectations, sanctions against Russia intended to undermine the operational capacity of their military apparatus, has instead inadvertently empowered new informal trade networks and intermediaries, bolstering funds for Russia’s military spending.

Whilst the report did not find traditional organised crime to be particularly complicit; it did find that legitimate businesses are participating in sanction evasion activities, leveraging these new networks and engaging in illicit import- and export practices.