Russia Sees Increase In Smuggling Rates Ukraine Intelligence

2025-05-08 03:09:05

(MENAFN- UkrinForm) In Russia, since 2022, smuggling volumes have been growing annually by an average of 25-30%.

This was reported by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, Ukrinform saw.

According to the agency, in recent years, more and more Russians have been using the "shuttle system" of illegal imports: they cross out to purchase certain goods and bring them into Russia.

The main channels of shadow trade include social media and messengers. They offer services for shipping documents, food, medical products, and premium segment goods.

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The greatest demand is for luxury products, jewelry of international brands, and high-tech electronics. At the same time, gold of the highest purity (999) is mainly smuggled out of Russia.

In the first months of the year, Russian law enforcers initiated 121 criminal inquiries into smuggling involving goods worth over $18.5 million.

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Last year, 419 criminal cases were opened in Russia, also marking a 60% increase on year (258 cases in 258).

As Ukrinform reported earlier, the Foreign Intelligence Service assesses that Russia is on the verge of an economic crisis due to high war costs.

Photo: flickr

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