NYT journalists noted that at the end of March, US and EU officials exchanged information about millions of dollars’ worth of prohibited technology that seeps through the cracks in their defense systems into Russian territory. Their components allegedly reach Russia through Armenia and Kazakhstan.
Moreover, Russian imports of microchips from China are increasing. Imports from October 2022 to January 2023 were 50% more than their monthly pre-war average.
Independent researchers also claim that in 2022, Armenia imported 515% more chips and processors from the US and 212% more from the EU than in 2021. Armenia then exported 97% of these products to Russia.
Also of note, Biden administration officials said that electronic equipment shipments to Russia and Belarus fell 41% between 2021 and 2022 as the US and its allies expanded sanctions worldwide.