Despite sanctions, Russia continues to import sniper scopes from the USA and Europe

Russia continues to import sniper scopes from the US and Europe despite sanctions.

As reported by the Russian publication “Important Stories,” between 2022 and 2023, sniper scopes worth $173.6 million were imported into Russia from Western countries.

The publication notes that there are numerous videos on YouTube showcasing Russian military personnel demonstrating scopes from Western manufacturers such as Leupold (USA), Nightforce (USA-Japan), Holosun (USA-China), and Swarovski Optik (Austria).

“According to customs data, scopes worth 16 billion rubles ($173.6 million) were imported into Russia in 2022-2023,” the publication writes.

The stated purpose is supposedly for “mounting scopes on hunting weapons,” but a portion of these scopes ends up involved in the conflict in Ukraine.

Russia is adapting to Western sanctions by maintaining its military supply chains and resorting to the aid of inconspicuous shipping and logistics companies to deliver combat drones from Iran, which are currently playing a significant role in its war in Ukraine.

It was previously revealed that a German company was circumventing sanctions to supply Russia with machinery for manufacturing tank shells. Additionally, Russia has established new channels for the delivery of drones from China to bypass sanctions.