Russia procures tank parts from Japan and Taiwan via China

KYIV/TOKYO -- A Russian arms maker is importing components for precision instruments made in Japan and Taiwan essential to tank production as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, Nikkei has learned.

According to information obtained by Nikkei, a person connected to the government of Belarus, an ally of Russia, set up a company in China after February 2022, when the full-scale invasion began, and the Russian arms maker has continued to import parts via the company. The information reveals that sanctions aimed at Russia's munitions industry are not functioning effectively, due to trades through a third country. U.S. and British authorities are aware of the situation and are expected to tighten the sanctions.