**Russia‘s Arms Exports Plummet**
A recent report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) shows that Russia’s arms exports have fallen sharply. In 2024, Russia sold fewer arms than in 2022, when it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The decline is due to several factors. Russia has been prioritizing weapons production for its own military. Western sanctions have also made it harder for Russia to sell arms abroad. The US and its allies have put pressure on countries that buy Russian arms.
Since 2022, Western sanctions have targeted Russian banks, energy exports, and goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes. This has strained Russia’s arms trade.
Over the past five years, Russian arms exports have dropped by 64%. Russia now sells arms to fewer countries than it did before. In 2018-2022, Russia supplied arms to 47 countries, but in 2024, that number fell to 33.
Most of Russia’s arms are sold to countries in Asia and Oceania (74%). Africa buys 12%, while Europe buys 7.4%. India is the biggest buyer of Russian arms, accounting for 38% of sales. China and Kazakhstan also buy a lot from Russia.
Despite its declining market share, Russia remains one of the world’s top three arms exporters. The US leads the way, controlling 43% of global arms exports.