Despite multiple rounds of Western sanctions, Russian drones and missiles continue to contain Western-made components. In Deutsche Welle’s report “Western parts in Russian drones: Are sanctions working?” KSE expert Benjamin Hilgenstock joins the discussion on why export controls have struggled to close sanctions gaps against Russia.
“Export controls on many of these goods were imposed right at the beginning of the major Russian offensive, in the spring of 2022. Yet, many of these sanctioned components still reach Russia through complex trade networks involving intermediaries in countries like China, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Kazakhstan,” says Benjamin Hilgenstock, a senior economist at the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE).
The DW article outlines how these indirect supply chains, often beyond EU jurisdiction, allow restricted technology to re-enter Russian markets. Hilgenstock highlighted that while sanctions raise costs and slow production in Russia, “there are still gaps, and these gaps could be closed.” He also pointed to the financial sector as a model, suggesting that manufacturers of restricted goods should face stronger due diligence obligations to prevent diversion.
For the full analysis and Benjamin Hilgenstock’s commentary on sanctions enforcement and export controls, read the complete article on Deutsche Welle here.
Further Reading
Reducing Russia’s capacity to sustain its war against Ukraine demands a comprehensive strategy built around four core pillars.
- The first priority is curbing energy exports, which provide crucial revenues and underpin Russia’s fiscal resilience through their far-reaching economic impact.
- Next is restricting access to essential materials, components, and technologies used in weapons manufacturing, a key step in limiting Russia’s military production capabilities.
- A third dimension involves tightening broader trade and financial restrictions to diminish economic efficiency and restrict market access.
- Finally, sanctions such as individual travel bans and airspace closures play a primarily symbolic and normative role, yet they also exert indirect influence by shaping public opinion, political conduct, and Russia’s international standing.
Explore the latest research on sanctions against Russia in the Sanctions Portal Evidence Base section. Learn about the main sanction packages imposed by Western allies following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as well as Russian countermeasures, by visiting the Timeline of Western Sanctions and Russian Countermeasures.
