More than 6,000 foreign companies – most of them based in China and Turkey – are continuing to supply equipment to Russia’s military-industrial complex despite international sanctions, according to an investigation published Wednesday by The Insider.
The outlet analyzed Russian foreign trade data for 2024-2025 and identified thousands of exporters that directly or indirectly provide goods to sanctioned Russian firms or contractors linked to the country’s defense sector.
The investigation found that roughly 4,000 companies are registered in China or Hong Kong, while about 300 are based in Turkey, 120 in the United Arab Emirates, and 60 in India.
Together, these firms account for about two-thirds of trade with Russian companies under sanctions or businesses tied to Russia’s military-industrial complex.
Based on customs records covering the past two years, The Insider estimates the value of this sanctions-linked trade at approximately $7 billion.
Among the largest Chinese exporters working with sanctioned Russian companies are Shenzhen Ming Huaxin, which supplies drone controllers and batteries; Tenyi Technology, which provides electronic components; Lonking (Fujian) International Trade, which exports tracked vehicles; Ele Technology, a supplier of metal-processing machines; and Sky Tech, which manufactures gas-turbine engines.
While China remains the leading source of goods in terms of both the number of companies and total import volume, Turkey plays a key role in supplying higher-end equipment, the report said.
According to the analysis, about 68% of shipments from Turkey to Russia in high-technology sectors – including metalworking machinery, industrial electronics, optics, and equipment used in metallurgy and energy – consist of high-quality products originally manufactured in Europe, Japan, and South Korea.
“This suggests Turkey has effectively specialized in reselling high-quality Western equipment to Russia,” the report said.