The investigators called Taiwan the largest supplier of machine tools for Russia’s military industry

The Russian military industry receives modern machine tools from Taiwan despite the sanctions imposed by Taipei. This is stated in a joint investigation by the Taiwanese edition of the Taiwanese The Reporter and the Russian The Insider.

After the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, an unprecedented number of Western sanctions were introduced against Russia. Many of them were joined by Taiwan, one of the world’s largest producers of electronics and microchips.

However, the partially recognized state continues to supply Russia with metalworking machines used in the military industry, according to a joint investigation. Despite the fact that the local administration has banned such deliveries, machines continue to enter Russia through third countries, mainly through Turkey.

Resale brings manufacturers and intermediaries a high profit, it follows from the materials. The editors of The Reporter found out how a machine worth from 60 to 180 thousand dollars was sold by middlemen in third countries to the Russian manufacturer of cruise missiles and space equipment “Kometa” Corporation in Moscow for a million dollars.

The publication cites the story of an anonymous employee of the Taiwan Industrial Association who visited the equipment exhibition in mainland China in 2023. Against the background of low demand from China due to the crisis, the exhibition was filled with Russian buyers who were ready to buy machines on the spot and for cash.