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Monthly Snapshot
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June 2024
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This Monthly Snapshot captures a selection of the most salient open source material on Russian arms sales and information related to Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) Section 231 sanctions during May 2024. The RAND Corporation seeks credible open-source material, curates it, but does not verify the content of this open-source material as part of a project for the U.S. Department of State to monitor activities related to CAATSA Section 231.
Selection: Open source materials are selected for the Monthly Snapshot based on analyst judgement to illustrate the diversity of sources, regions, and weapons systems
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Russian Military Systems Export Marketing and Sales
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Russia to Sign Arms Exchange Agreement with Sudan
May 28, 2024 | Kyiv Post
The report discusses Sudan's plan to obtain "vital weapons and ammunition" from Russia in exchange for a Russian logistics center in Port Sudan. This center is described as not being a full military base. During a recent visit by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov to Sudan, discussions with Sudanese officials, including SAF chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, took place, indicating a potential shift in Russian support towards the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in the ongoing civil conflict. The report adds that Russia, along with the Wagner Group, has been implicated in supporting the 2019 coup in Sudan by providing military aid to the opposition Rapid Response Force (RSF).
‘Based on Igla-S, We Will Create Our Own System': Production of Russian MANPADS Begins in India ("На основе "Иглы-С" создадим собственную систему": в Индии началось производство российского ПЗРК)
May 27, 2024 | Military Review
Indian Adani Defense Systems and Technologies Limited (ADSTL) has started assembling the Igla-S man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) in India as part of a technology transfer agreement with Rosoboronexport. This move supplements an earlier direct acquisition from Russia, which included 120 launch units and 400 missiles, with the first batch arriving in April 2024. Additionally, India is aiming to develop its own MANPADS based on the Igla-S technology, enhancing its domestic defense manufacturing capabilities.
"Export Bestsellers: Six Examples of Russian Weapons That Are of Interest Abroad (Экспортные хиты: шесть образцов российского оружия, которыми интересуются за рубежом)
May 22, 2024 | TASS
The article highlights the six most popular Russian weapons in international markets, according to Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Rostec. These weapons include the Su-35 fighter jet, the Ka-52 helicopter, the Tornado and Smerch multiple-launch rocket systems, the Msta-S self-propelled howitzer, and the Pantsir-S1 missile defense system. Chemezov noted that the current export order book for Russian arms manufacturers is valued at 60 billion, which supposedly suggests a potential surge in exports following the war.
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Russian Weapon Systems Operating in the Field
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Every Day, Russia Produces 12,320 Artillery Shells at $1K Each
May 26, 2024 | BulgarianMilitary.Com
The report discusses a claim by Bain & Company which stated that Russia's arms industry is producing 12,320 artillery shells daily, totaling approximately 4.5 million shells annually, and each costing about $1,000. This production rate is said to significantly surpass the combined output of the United States and European countries. Key Russian facilities like Uralvagonzavod, Tula Ordnance Plant, Kurganmashzavod, and the Nizhny Novgorod Machine-Building Plant reportedly play significant roles in maintaining this high production capacity, crucial for Russia's military operations.
Head of the Department of Defense's State Defense Order Division Arrested (Арестован глава управления департамента Минобороны по гособоронзаказу)
May 23, 2024 | Lenta.ru
Vladimir Vereteletsky, the head of the Department of the Ministry of Defense of Russia responsible for state defense orders, has been arrested on charges of abuse of power. According to Svetlana Petrenko, the official representative of the Investigative Committee, in 2022, Vereteletsky approved uncompleted work on a state contract, causing damage to the state amounting to more than 70 million rubles.
Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Will Directly Report to the President of Russia (ФСВТС будет напрямую подчиняться президенту России)
May 11, 2024 | RT in Russian
Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree placing the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation among the federal ministries, services, and agencies. Its activities are now overseen directly by the President. This move represents a shift from its previous subordination under the Ministry of Defense.
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Measures Impacting CAATSA and Other Sanctions Measures
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US questions UK claims that China is providing ‘lethal aid' to Russia
May 22, 2024 | Financial Times
According to the report, the US National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, mentioned that the US had not observed direct weapon provision from China to Russia, questioning the allegations made by the British Defense Secretary. China has also denied these allegations, labeling them as "baseless and irresponsible." The report however notes that while direct military aid has not been confirmed, China continues to provide crucial dual-use components to Russia, which support its defense capabilities.
United Kingdom Accuses China of Supplying Arms to Russia.
May 22, 2024 | Army Recognition
British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps has publicly accused China of "providing or preparing to provide lethal aid to Russia" for use in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Shapps reportedly referenced intelligence from both American and British sources to support his claims, although specific details about the types of weapons or evidence were not disclosed. This development raises concerns about China's role in the conflict, contrasting with its initial stance of being a moderating influence on Russia.
How is China Supporting Russia After it was Sanctioned for Ukraine War?
May 17, 2024 | BBC
The report claims that China has become a crucial economic ally for Russia, helping to mitigate the impact of Western sanctions by significantly increasing trade, particularly in non-lethal dual-use items that have both commercial and military applications. Despite allegations, China maintains that it does not supply weapons to Russia, focusing instead on non-lethal trade that complies with international laws, though this includes items that could indirectly support Russia's military capabilities. Trade between China and Russia soared to a record $240 billion in 2023, with China becoming Russia's top trade partner. Additionally, China has ramped up its imports of Russian oil and gas, becoming a major buyer and helping Russia offset losses from reduced sales to the West, further solidifying the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Investigation: How Russia's Warplanes Get Their 'Brain Power' From The West, Despite Sanctions
May 11, 2024 | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
The report discusses an investigation by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service which revealed that major electronics manufacturers from Japan, the U.S., and Taiwan are among the top suppliers of components used in Russian fighter jets deployed in Ukraine. These components, crucial for the planes' navigation, guidance, and communication systems, were not supplied directly by the manufacturers but through intermediaries in the EU and other regions, highlighting the challenges in enforcing sanctions against Russia. Ukrainian intelligence provided a list of over 2,000 electronic components used in five types of Sukhoi jets, which have been tracked to companies like Japan's Murata and U.S.-based Texas Instruments and Analog Devices, which have publicly opposed their use in military applications and denied direct sales to Russia. The report adds that despite sanctions and manufacturers' policies against military use of their products, there are ongoing indirect supply chains through companies in countries like Cyprus and Hungary, exploiting gaps in EU sanctions enforcement.
Russia Has Bought US$500 Million Worth of Aircraft Parts to Circumvent Sanctions - ISW
May 08, 2024 | Ukrainska Pravda
The report claims that since 2022, Yakovlev has bypassed international sanctions and purchased nearly US$500 million worth of military aircraft components from abroad, mainly components for radar equipment and programmable controllers. The purchases have reportedly enabled Yakovlev to continue producing Su-30 fighter jets and Yak-130 trainer aircraft. Notably, Yakovlev sent Yak-130 aircraft to Iran in September 2023.
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The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis.
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This monthly snapshot is part of a U.S. government foreign assistance effort to help countries comply with U.S. and international sanctions associated with the purchase of Russian advanced conventional weapons.
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