More than $30m worth of aircraft tyres, manufactured by companies like Michelin and Dunlop, were imported into Russia last year via intermediaries, despite sanctions, according to a Ukrainian government agency. Russian aviation relies heavily on foreign-made tyres, and customs records show most of the tyres imported into Russia in 2023 came from companies in France, Britain, the US, and Japan.
After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the US and EU imposed bans on the sale of aviation tyres to Russia in early 2022, with the UK following suit in December 2023 and Japan in July of the same year. However, customs data reveals widespread attempts to evade these restrictions.
Michelin tyres accounted for 70% of these imports, worth $28m, including those used by planes like the Airbus of Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov. Other imports included tyres from Goodyear, Dunlop, and Bridgestone.
A report by Ukraine’s National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) reveals that many of these imports passed through China, Turkey, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Central Asia, though some came directly from the West, facilitated by third-party countries. The NACP suggests this might involve false transit schemes or changes in destination.
Michelin, Goodyear, and Bridgestone have all stated they ceased exporting to Russia following sanctions. Michelin launched an investigation, while Bridgestone and Goodyear reiterated their commitment to compliance with sanctions.
Despite Russia’s efforts to develop its own tyre manufacturing base, only the Yaroslavl Tyre Plant is operational. In 2023, 10% of Russia’s aircraft tyre imports came from Chinese manufacturers.
The UK government has committed to working with industry to prevent circumvention of sanctions and ensure compliance, with penalties for violators including heavy fines or criminal prosecution.
