How Canadian-Made Rifles Are Arming Russian Troops Despite Sanctions and Export Bans

At least three Russian military units are using precision sniper rifles produced by Canada’s Cadex Defence, according to an investigation by Global News conducted in collaboration with The Insider.

The report indicates that the weapons reached Russia despite export bans and sanctions, possibly through intermediaries in the United States and Kazakhstan.

In February 2024, Russia’s Federation of Combat Sniping released footage showing its president, Yaroslav Yakubov, test-firing a Cadex Tremor 416 Barrett rifle.

The weapon, chambered in .416 Barrett and originally designed for the US Navy, maintains supersonic velocity at distances up to 1,700 meters and delivers muzzle energy over three times greater than the Dragunov SVD.

Yakubov, a Russian Marine officer from the 155th Brigade of the Pacific Fleet, has participated in combat operations against Ukraine. Since 2023, he has led the Combat Sniping Federation and oversees sniper training for the brigade.

The evidence

Global News and The Insider identified Cadex rifles in multiple Russian formations, including Airborne units and the National Guard.

Photos and videos from 2024–2025 show soldiers using Cadex CDX-33 Patriot Lite rifles and other Canadian models, often alongside American Barrett rifles.

One video—allegedly recorded by a sniper from the so-called “Pavel Sudoplatov Battalion”—thanks suppliers in Montreal for providing new weapons.

Additional evidence shows Cadex rifles on display at Moscow’s “OrelExpo-2025,” with retail sales through the Russian firearms store “Varyag LLC.” Photos published by The Insider in August 2025 show several Cadex models available for purchase in the shop.

Supply chains and loopholes

According to The Insider, “Varyag” is the only certified importer of Cadex products in Russia. Official data from RosAccreditation show that between February 2022 and February 2024, the company imported 82 Cadex Defence rifles, along with firearms from Austria, the US, Germany, and the UK, and over 140,000 rounds of ammunition.

Despite Western sanctions, “Varyag” continued expanding its business, with revenue rising from $742,800 in 2021 to $2.1 million in 2023.

The investigation suggests that part of this equipment may have entered Russia through Kazakhstan.

Prior to 2022, “Varyag” worked with a Colorado-based American firm, ABF Inc., which exported 53 rifles—including Cadex and other brands—to Kazakhstan in 2022–2023.

The Kazakh recipient, “Kazokhotrybolovsouz,” reportedly saw its tax payments nearly double after Russia’s full-scale invasion began, though none of the imported weapons appeared for civilian sale, raising questions about their final destination.

Official Reactions

In response to Global News, a spokesperson for Canada’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggested that some rifles may have been captured on the battlefield.

However, investigators pointed out that the rifles in Russian possession are new, often in factory cases with intact markings, making battlefield capture unlikely.

Following publication of the report, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said Ottawa would examine how the rifles reached Russia.

Global News also cited Cadex President Serge Dextraze, who stated that his company does not sell to Russia and has blacklisted firms suspected of diversion.

Canada imposed a full ban on the export, sale, and transportation of weapons to Russia on July 19, 2023—years after initial restrictions were enacted in 2015.

Still, the appearance of Canadian rifles and electronic components in Russian systems suggests continued leakage through third countries.

Earlier, Canadian-made chips and transceivers have been found in Russian Geran and Orlan drones, as well as in Typhoon-K armored vehicles and Iranian Mohajer-6 UAVs assembled for Russia, according to Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate.

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