Bloomberg: Russia imported more than $1 billion worth of advanced chips made by U.S. and European companies in 2023

Despite sanctions, Russia imported $1.2 billion worth of advanced chips made by U.S. and European companies in the first nine months of 2023, reports Bloomberg, citing classified Russian customs service data.

The imported microchips, which can be used to manufacture military equipment, were produced by U.S. companies Intel, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), and Analog Devices, as well as European companies Infineon Technologies, STMicroelectronics, and NXP Semiconductors.

Bloomberg notes that there’s no data suggesting that the companies violated any sanctions and exported technology to Russia. The outlet notes that the majority of the technology enters Russia through countries such as China, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

In the first nine months of 2023, Russia imported over $1.7 billion worth of microchips, according to customs data.

U.S. and European companies, whose products turned up in Russia, said that they fully adhere to sanctions and ceased operations in Russia after the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Chinese companies and Taiwanese company Realtek Semiconductor, as well as U.S. and European companies, are among the top 20 businesses whose products end up in Russia,