Armenia Helps Moscow Bypass Sanctions, Says Ukrainian Military Intelligence

Ukrainian military intelligence has asserted in a statement released today that Russia is attempting to circumvent Western-imposed sanctions through three South Caucasian countries.

“Moscow is negotiating with Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan regarding the re-export of Russian goods to international markets. The supplies are expected to be executed in the form of products of Georgian, Armenian, and Azerbaijani origin, which will then be sent to third countries,” Ukrainian military intelligence claims, as reported by Radar.am. They emphasized that 200 joint ventures with Russian capital have already been established in the three South Caucasian countries.

The Chief Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Defense Ministry also claimed that Armenia has created favorable conditions for Russian businesses looking to avoid sanctions. “The focus is primarily on IT companies. Since the onset of Russia's large-scale assault on Ukraine, 85,000 Russian citizens and 113 IT companies have relocated to Armenia. During this time, Russian citizens have established over a thousand private companies and 250 limited liability companies in Armenia, paying taxes to both the Armenian and Russian budgets,” the Ukrainian military intelligence report states.