Russia buys back military supplies previously sent to Myanmar and India — Nikkei research

Russia may reimport some of the weapons previously exported to Myanmar and India.

Japanese news outlet Nikkei published the study.

Nikkei analysed data on customs clearance of shipments to Russia provided by the American research company ImportGenius and the Indian company Exim Trade Data.

Thus, on December 9, 2022, Uralvagonzavod, which produces tanks for the Russian military, imported military products from the Myanmar army worth $24 million. The parts were registered as manufactured at Uralvagonzavod.

Harmonised system (HS) codes for the reimported goods show that the company purchased 6,775 sighting telescopes and 200 cameras for installation on tanks.

Russia's Machine-Building Design Bureau, which manufactures missiles, purchased six components for night-vision sight for surface-to-air missiles from the Indian Ministry of Defence in August and November 2022 for $150,000. 

"Buybacks of exported equipment make it possible to upgrade older weapons in Russia's arsenal and send them into battle," the study says.

It will be recalled that Financial Times journalists found that despite the sanctions, Russia purchased $900,000 worth of microchips and equipment from European countries.