Sanctions as a Weapon: Realistic Opportunities to Block Supply and Financing Channels for the Enemy
In the context of modern hybrid warfare and extensive economic sanctions against Russia, one of the most crucial tools to deter the aggressor remains the use of restrictive measures.
However, the lack of effective control mechanisms and the ability to block circumventive channels significantly diminishes their impact.
Russia demonstrates a unique capacity to adapt to new challenges by employing so-called ‘gray’ schemes in international trade.
Using neutral jurisdictions and minimizing risks for logistics companies, the aggressor country continues to receive vital components for weapons development, including missiles and drones.
This includes active export of high-tech goods through Central Asian countries, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates, which have become hubs for re-export.
Analyses show that current sanctions still have notable vulnerabilities, especially in the energy and nuclear sectors, where Russian companies like ‘Rosatom’ maintain stable revenue while remaining outside proper restrictions.
It is vital for the international community to intensify efforts to establish stricter and more targeted mechanisms, including secondary sanctions that should be automatic and applied to any activity facilitating circumvention.
Only then can we create obstacles that effectively complicate Russia’s war financing and arms production, forcing Moscow to seek new avenues and ultimately terminating its aggression.
Complete technological blockade and cessation of financial flows are essential to turning sanctions into a heavy, unstoppable noose around the aggressor’s neck.