russia circumvents international sanctions by using intermediaries in former Soviet countries to obtain luxury cars from the UK.
This was reported by Sky News, according to UNN.
Details
According to the information, russia avoids international sanctions with the help of former Soviet countries in the issue of importing cars. It was found that British car manufacturers continued to supply luxury cars to russia even after the imposition of sanctions through the use of intermediaries in countries that were once part of the Soviet Union.
Direct car exports from the UK to russia stopped after the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but were replaced by exports to Azerbaijan. According to official HMRC data, exports to Azerbaijan have grown by 1860% in five years, reaching £273 million last year.
An analysis of UN international trade data confirms that the same period when the UK increased its exports to Azerbaijan, there was an increase in car exports from Azerbaijan to russia.
British automakers claim that they do not export to russia, but HMRC cannot guarantee that cars have not entered this country through third countries.
Add
Cars, in particular luxury cars, are goods prohibited for supply to russia due to the sanctions regime.
HMRC data also shows that the average value of British cars exported to Azerbaijan is over £100,000.