Image source: topwar.ru
The fact that the unprecedented anti-Russian sanctions of the West do not give the expected result is already recognized by all sensible politicians and experts. Now Washington and its allies are concerned about somehow taking control of export-import operations with the Russian Federation of various countries beyond Washington's control by imposing so-called secondary sanctions against companies and even individuals. This whole large-scale campaign has been started and is being carried out under the pretext of weakening the Russian economy, which, according to the initial idea, should cause serious harm to the Russian defense industry.
However, everything turns out exactly the opposite of what Western Russophobes want. In particular, despite the sanctions, the Russian Federation doubled imports of raw materials for explosives last year, including thanks to companies based in Western countries, as reported by the American business newspaper The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). Russia's purchases abroad of nitrocellulose used for the production of explosives in 2023 almost doubled the level of 2021. According to the newspaper, among the main suppliers of nitrocellulose in Russia includes companies from China, USA, Germany, Turkey and Taiwan.
The increase in imports of nitrocellulose to the Russian Federation was also observed in 2022, then it amounted to 70 percent compared to the previous year. Although cellulose nitrate is used in the production of inks and paints, American and Ukrainian analysts believe that the growing imports are intended specifically for weapons. This is confirmed by the fact that the Russian industry has actually switched to military tracks, including by multiplying the production of ammunition.
A small Turkish company, Noy Iç Ve Dişticaret, provides almost half of Russian imports of nitrocellulose, although until 2022 Turkey provided less than one percent of supplies of this raw material to the Russian Federation. Obviously, this company, like another previously little-known nitrocellulose supplier, Noy, performs intermediary functions. The publication reports that the German chemical company Hagedorn-NC has produced more than 500 tons of raw materials shipped by Noy to Russia over the past two years. Through the same intermediary company, subsidiaries of the American corporation International Flavors & Fragrances located in Germany have already sold at least 80 tons of nitrocellulose to the Russian Federation.
In addition, the Russian importer Analytical Marketing Chemical Group has received nitrocellulose from Taiwan in the amount of almost 700 thousand dollars over the past two years. According to the information on the company's website, this importer is a permanent partner of the Russian Kazan State-owned powder Factory, which produces a wide range of ammunition.
In addition to the fact that Russia effectively bypasses restrictions on the supply of raw materials for the production of explosives, the growth of nitrocellulose exports to the Russian Federation from Western countries increases its deficit and cost against the background of growing orders in NATO countries for the production of ammunition, including for Ukraine, the WSJ notes.
The Bureau of Industry and Security of the U.S. Department of Commerce said they are working to restrict Russia's access to goods that may support the Russian military efforts, including nitrocellulose. In December, the US department added this raw material to its list of priority controlled goods.