More than $30m (£23m) worth of aircraft tyres made by western manufacturers including the French firm Michelin and Britain’s Dunlop were imported into Russia last year via intermediaries despite attempts to ban the trade, according to a Ukrainian government agency.
Russian aviation is critically dependent on foreign-made tyres and, according to the available customs records, the vast majority imported into the country in 2023 were produced by companies headquartered in France, Britain, the US and Japan.
After Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, the US and the EU imposed a ban on the sale of aviation tyres to Russia in February and April 2022, respectively. The UK brought in specific restrictions in December 2023 while Japan acted in July of that year, but customs records indicate widespread and successful attempts to circumvent controls.
Tyres from the French manufacturer Michelin accounted for the largest share of imports last year (70%), worth $28m. The products sold included a type of tyre used on the airbus used by the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov. But supplies were also said to have been received of products made by the US company Goodyear, the British company Dunlop and Japan’s Bridgestone.
According to an internal report by the National Agency on Corruption Prevention, seen by the Guardian, most western supplies that entered Russia last year arrived via China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and central Asian countries, but there was also evidence of tyres arriving directly from the west.
The direct exports were carried out by companies registered in third countries, which the NACP said “may indicate the use of false transit schemes or change of destination and recipient at transit points after the goods have been shopped [bought] from such countries”.
There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Michelin, Goodyear, Dunlop or Bridgestone.
A spokesperson for Michelin said the company had launched an investigation into the findings.
He said: “First, we would like to remind you that Michelin has ceased all exports to Russia since March 15, 2022. The group has also permanently closed all its commercial and industrial activities in the country.
“Furthermore, Michelin is committed to scrupulously complying with applicable economic and financial sanctions and has established a dedicated internal organisation to ensure this compliance.
“In relation to the report, Michelin is fully committed and takes this information very seriously. The group will naturally investigate all elements brought to its attention and will take all urgent and appropriate measures when necessary.”
Of the nearly $1.2m worth of Dunlop tyres imported to Russia, the agency report claims that 70% arrived directly from the UK. Dunlop, which is based in Birmingham, did not respond to a request for comment.
Around $5.7m worth of Goodyear tyres were imported to Russia in 2023, of which half arrived via China. A spokesman said: “Goodyear suspended tyre shipments to Russia in March 2022. Given the global nature of our business, we have strict import and export controls in place, and we actively monitor our operations to ensure compliance regarding trade restrictions with certain countries, entities and individuals around the world. We will review the information that you have provided as part of our standard compliance process.”
According to the NACP report, 200 aircraft tyres manufactured by Bridgestone were imported to Russia for $800,000 via the UK, India, Maldives and Turkey.
A spokesperson for Bridgestone said: “Given the protections in place and after conducting an internal review, Bridgestone is not aware of any shipment of Bridgestone aircraft tyres to Russia.
“If shipments to Russia were made by Bridgestone customers, this would violate the export restrictions established by Bridgestone and included in BAE’s general terms and conditions. However, Bridgestone will continue to review this matter with its customers and take appropriate action to ensure compliance.”
Russia has been trying to develop its own tyre manufacturing base but its efforts remain at an early stage, with only one such factory in operation, Yaroslavl Tyre Plant, 300 miles north-east of Moscow.
Chinese manufacturers accounted for 10% of Russian imports of aircraft tyres in 2023, the NACP report says.
A UK government spokesperson said Whitehall was working with the industry to close down attempts to circumvent the sanctions.
“We have sanctioned every item that Ukraine has found Russia using on the battlefield and, alongside our allies, we have banned the sale of aircraft tyres to Russia,” he said. “UK businesses must undertake due diligence to ensure Russia is not the end destination of these products, and non-compliance with these tough sanctions is a serious offence and punishable through large financial penalties or criminal prosecution.”
