Russian traders have found ways to bypass global tech bans and continue importing commercial technology, including prohibited goods from major American and European manufacturers. They have leveraged loopholes in international trade restrictions, utilized intermediary networks, and exploited neutral countries' ports, like Morocco and Turkey. The success of these endeavors questions the effectiveness of Western sanctions and tech companies' control over product destinations.
Chinese Traders and Moroccan Ports: How Russia Flouts Global Tech Bans After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Western trade limits caused a shortage of American equipment in Russia. Russian company Convex found a workaround by obtaining Cisco gear through an obscure Russian e-commerce site called Nag, which sourced the equipment through suppliers in China. Russian authorities and companies have exploited loopholes and workarounds to obtain restricted tech products, including using ports in Morocco and Turkey for transshipment to Russia. They have also utilized intermediaries in China and shell companies to disguise their activities. Russian trade officials have shared tips on transferring goods through specific ports, trading in rubles, and repairing Russian-flagged ships. This success raises questions about the effectiveness of Western trade restrictions and the responsibility of tech giants to control the destinations of their products. In Morocco, Russian companies received support from the country's trade office to establish the African country as an electronics transshipment hub. They also utilized an obscure scrap metal company to route restricted technology through Morocco to Russia. Russian e-commerce sites like Nag have received hundreds of millions of dollars in technology from China and continue to sell Western technology, despite logistical challenges caused by international sanctions. The availability of Western tech in Russia has been abundant, with new suppliers offering competitive prices. Adblock test (Why?)
Chinese Traders and Moroccan Ports: How Russia Flouts Global Tech Bans After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Western trade limits caused a shortage of American equipment in Russia. Russian company Convex found a workaround by obtaining Cisco gear through an obscure Russian e-commerce site called Nag, which sourced the equipment through suppliers in China. Russian authorities and companies have exploited loopholes and workarounds to obtain restricted tech products, including using ports in Morocco and Turkey for transshipment to Russia. They have also utilized intermediaries in China and shell companies to disguise their activities. Russian trade officials have shared tips on transferring goods through specific ports, trading in rubles, and repairing Russian-flagged ships. This success raises questions about the effectiveness of Western trade restrictions and the responsibility of tech giants to control the destinations of their products. In Morocco, Russian companies received support from the country's trade office to establish the African country as an electronics transshipment hub. They also utilized an obscure scrap metal company to route restricted technology through Morocco to Russia. Russian e-commerce sites like Nag have received hundreds of millions of dollars in technology from China and continue to sell Western technology, despite logistical challenges caused by international sanctions. The availability of Western tech in Russia has been abundant, with new suppliers offering competitive prices. Adblock test (Why?)