The birth rate has fallen in Kazakhstan, but the demand for breast pumps increased by 633%. The EU is afraid that Russia is purchased through neighboring countries - including for military purposes

In 2022, Russian neighbors increased the import of household appliances from the European Union, at the same time increasing the supply of such products to Russia, Bloomberg reports .

According to the Eurostat, in January - August 2022, Armenia imported more washing machines from the EU than in the last two years, taken together, and Kazakhstan bought refrigerators for $ 21.4 million, which is three times more than last year last year.

In addition, both countries increased the imports of electric daughters: in the first half of 2022, Armenia bought almost three times more such devices, and demand in Kazakhstan grew by 633%. Bloomberg notes that the birth rate has decreased in both countries this year: in Armenia - by 4.3%, in Kazakhstan - by 8.4%.

Russia does not publish trading statistics, but Kazakhstan, according to the local government, sharply increased the supply of refrigerators, washing machines and electric dairy and electricity and electricity and electricians to Russia. So, in January - August, the export of refrigerators grew 10 times, dairy and so much - more than doubled. At the same time, Russia purchased $ 7.5 million from Kazakhstan, while in the previous two years this indicator sought to zero. Officials in Kazakhstan and in Armenia did not respond to requests about comments.

Bloomberg admits that Russia can purchase household appliances in countries participants in the Eurasian Economic Union in order to cope with the shortage of such equipment in the Russian market. According to another version, which is given by the agency, Russian companies can disassemble the purchased equipment and use components and semiconductors in civilian proceedings.

At the same time, European officials, whose words are cited by Bloomberg, are concerned that at least some goods and their components can be used for military purposes. In September, the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Layen said that the Russian military used chips from dishwashers and refrigerators in military equipment, since they end in semiconductors (the United States spoke about the same). Bloomberg sources have admitted that components and microcircuits from other household goods could also use for military purposes.

One European official noted that the Russian military also often abducted household appliances in Ukraine, but it is unclear how many equipment was stolen for state needs.