Russia’s Secret Supply Line Through the Maldives | US News

Russia is quietly smuggling hundreds of millions in Western tech—chips, gear, even potential missile components—into the country via the Maldives, a tourist hotspot in the Indian Ocean. Instead of direct routes, cargo arrives daily on Aeroflot flights, handled by local firms working with Russian logistics partners, all while avoiding official customs and scrubbing paperwork to dodge sanctions. Imports from the Maldives surged from $7 million in 2021 to over $630 million in 2022, coinciding with Russia’s invasion, as Russian tourists pour in and airport profits soar. The U.S. Treasury has warned about such third-country workarounds, flagging Russian banks’ overseas branches as red flags. Companies like Freight Care and Go Investment appear on shipping docs, with one claiming they only handle “transit cargo” without knowingly moving weapons. This clever, complex loophole reveals just how inventive global trade—and sanctions evasion—can become. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/2924a2c0eb705a16