Russia created secret trade route with India to secure electronics: report

Russia has reportedly created a covert trade route with India to secure critical electronics for its military operations in Ukraine, according to a Financial Times report.

Citing leaked documents and anonymous sources, the report reveals that Russia’s Ved MMKP, a consortium linked to foreign economic activities, planned to spend approximately $976,650 on essential components for telecommunication, server, and other complex electronic equipment, previously sourced from Western countries.

These components, crucial for both civilian and military use, are subject to Western export controls.

Despite sanctions disrupting Russia’s access to foreign electronics, the country's military continues to require these components for missiles, drones, and electronic warfare.

The Financial Times reports that Ved MMKP’s strategy involved using a closed payment system between Russian and Indian companies to avoid Western oversight.

The consortium is suspected to be a front for Russian intelligence operations.

Trade between Russia and India has surged, reaching $65 billion in 2023, with Russia amassing Indian rupees from increased oil sales.

Indian customs filings indicate a notable rise in exports of sensitive electronics since mid-2022.

Innovio Ventures, an Indian firm, reportedly supplied $4.9 million worth of electronics, including drones, to Russia and another $600,000 worth to Kyrgyzstan, a key channel for Russia’s imports of sanctioned goods.

Additionally, the sanctioned Russian company Testkomplekt received $568,000 in electronic equipment for its radio-electronic systems.