Companies from the EU, USA, and Turkey, which have ceased direct supplies to Russia, have significantly increased shipments to Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, according to an investigation. Exports to these countries have grown two and a half times over three years – from 19,556 units in 2020 to 53,211 in 2023, as stated in the publication.
Another major arms supplier to Russia's neighbors is Italy – shipments from the Beretta holding to Armenia have increased nearly 30 times over four years, while Kyrgyzstan, which had not purchased Italian weapons until 2022, acquired 4,400 units in 2024 alone. Turkish arms exports to Georgia rose from 8,400 units in 2019 to 18,900 in 2023.
Among other suppliers of sniper rifles and hunting guns that likely reach Russia through neighboring countries is the ABF gun shop from Colorado, USA: in 2022-2023, it supplied Kazakhstan with 53 rifles from Accuracy International, Cadex Defence, FN Herstal, Patriot Ordnance Factory, and Proof Research, according to customs reports. Information on the sale of these rifles in Kazakhstan is unavailable; however, at least two brands of this weapon can be found in a Russian company that previously collaborated with ABF, the article states.