Russia is still able to import significant amounts of technology for use by its defense industry despite unprecedented global sanctions following Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, according to a study.
Silverado Policy Accelerator, a Washington, DC think tank, has examined trade data showing that, despite being punished for the war, Russia continues to have access to crucial dual-use technologies such as semiconductors, thanks in part to China and Hong Kong.
It also showed that imports to Russia have rebounded, as have supply chains for consumer goods, such as smartphones, appliances and cars, as the country adapts to sanctions that had been aimed at isolating it from the global financial system.
While sanctions had caused a sharp dip in trade to Russia initially, "a lot of people stopped paying attention to what happened after that, which was this rebound in certain areas, especially in areas like chips," Sarah Stewart, Silverado chief executive officer and co-author of the report, told Newsweek.
Soon after Putin's invasion, the U.S. joined forces with 37 allies and partners to impose sanctions and export controls, limiting Russia's access to foreign goods and technology and hampering its war effort.
