The Ukrainian outlet The Page has highlighted findings from NAKO’s analytical report “Rostec Under Pressure: Sanctions, Export Controls, and the Evolution of Russia’s Military-Industrial Giant.”
One of the report’s most revealing case studies examines sanctions against KRET (Radio-Electronic Technologies), a Rostec subsidiary that manufactures electronic warfare systems and avionics for Su-35 fighter jets used in Russia’s attacks against Ukraine.
NAKO analyzed 40 KRET-affiliated enterprises and found significant gaps in Western sanctions coverage. Investigations have documented the presence of British-made microelectronics in KRET systems. Yet the United Kingdom has sanctioned only one company within the holding, while eight other entities involved in production remain unrestricted.
The report also shows that Rostec continues to rely heavily on Western and Asian microelectronics, as well as precision machine tools. Russia remains unable to independently reproduce some of the most advanced technologies required for modern weapons production, including sophisticated semiconductors and sensors.
“Under sanctions, this pillar of Russia’s war machine demonstrates both an ability to adapt and significant structural vulnerabilities,” said Viktoriia Vyshnivska, NAKO Senior Researcher and author of the report, in a comment to The Page.
According to Vyshnivska, pressure on Rostec should continue to increase through sanctions, export controls, financial restrictions, and limitations on access to critical resources.