Which countries help Russia bypass sanctions and support the war against Ukraine
Iran, Vietnam, North Korea, and China continue to assist the Russian Federation in circumventing sanctions, enabling it to sustain its aggression against Ukraine. The latest example is the supply of the first advanced MGT-70 gas turbine to Russia by the Iranian company MAPNA under a contract for the export of 40 such units, signed back in 2022. This equipment is of strategic importance to Russia as it replaces turbines from the German company Siemens, whose supply and maintenance were halted after the onset of the full-scale invasion. Meanwhile, Russia is attempting to establish its own production of similar technology.
This is reported by AgroReview
Military-Industrial Cooperation and Shadow Schemes
Gas turbine installations play a key role in electricity generation at power plants and also provide thermal energy production, enhancing the overall energy efficiency of systems. At the same time, Russia’s cooperation with Vietnam has taken the form of a covert financial scheme: the countries have implemented a so-called ‘backdoor’ for payments for armaments, allowing them to avoid sanctions and make payments outside the international financial system.
Russia’s interaction with North Korea also indicates an unequal partnership. According to analysts, North Korea has provided military support to Moscow worth about $10 billion, but in return received only up to $1.2 billion in food and fuel aid, as well as a limited amount of military equipment, including air defense systems, GPS jammers, and possibly fighter jets. Experts emphasize that the actual value of the assistance could reach even $20 billion.
“North Korea has provided military support to Russia worth about $10 billion. However, in return, it received relatively little compensation – a maximum of $1.2 billion, mostly consisting of food and fuel aid, as well as ‘a small number of air defense systems, GPS jammers, and possibly fighter jets.’ This indicates an ‘unequal partnership’ between the countries, although their military cooperation has intensified.”
Chinese Involvement and Oil Sanction Evasions
China also remains one of Russia’s key partners. In recent months, the cargo ship Heng Yang 9 has secretly entered the occupied Sevastopol in Crimea three times. Ukraine has already expressed its protest to Beijing and warned of possible sanctions. The ship’s visit coincided with the launch of a new railway line on the peninsula, which facilitates the transportation of containers from Russia to Crimean ports. Ukrainian officials suspect that goods are being transported from the occupied territories of Donetsk and Kherson regions in this manner.
A significant role in financing military operations is played by the export of Russian oil: in August 2025, 43.6% of maritime oil transport (9.7 million tons out of a total of 22.2 million tons) was carried out by 83 sanctioned tankers.