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Sanctions or Strikes? UK Study Reveals Weak Links in Russia’s Warplane Production
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) has released an in-depth analysis of Russia’s aircraft manufacturing network, outlining how sanctions and precision strikes could disrupt production of Sukhoi combat aircraft, including the Su-30, Su-34, Su-35, and Su-47, according to Defense Express on November 12.
The British defense think tank examined the full supply chain behind the Sukhoi program, emphasizing the vulnerability of second- and third-tier suppliers rather than only the main assembly plants.
The study identified around 1,300 companies connected to Russia’s military aviation production, many of which remain outside existing sanctions.
RUSI’s interactive map highlights several critical suppliers across Russia whose operations are essential for producing fighter jets. The institute suggests that, while Western nations can focus on sanctioning these firms, Ukraine can target them militarily when feasible.
One example cited in the analysis is the Skif-M plant in Belgorod, which produces specialized cutting tools for titanium processing used in aircraft manufacturing.
Despite its role in supporting Sukhoi plants, the company is not under Western sanctions and continues to import advanced German equipment, including Cemecon’s CC800 HiPIMS coating systems, valued at about $7.6 million annually. Ukrainian forces reportedly struck this facility in late September 2025, disrupting its production capabilities.
Another case involves the St. Petersburg-based company Kulon, a manufacturer of ceramic capacitors that continues to import components without restrictions.
RUSI also points to Ruspolymet GmbH in Düsseldorf, which exports metalworking equipment and special alloys to its Russian parent company under the guise of scrap metal shipments.
The study notes that while major Sukhoi factories in Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, and Komsomolsk-on-Amur remain out of Ukraine’s reach, several suppliers shown on RUSI’s map—such as Electrodetal in Bryansk region, Signal in Stavropol, and Aviaavtomatika in Kursk—have already come under Ukrainian attack.
According to Defense Express, the findings suggest that sanctioning or neutralizing key suppliers could significantly slow Russia’s aircraft production, reinforcing the importance of targeting both economic and military nodes in its defense industry.
Earlier, it was reported that Alphachip smuggled US-made chips into Russia’s military-aviation supply chain, including parts used in the Su‑34 and Su‑35 jets, illustrating how high-tech components continue flowing despite sanctions.
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