Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Russia has doubled its imports of nitrocellulose needed for the defense industry. The Wall Street Journal reports this.
According to the publication, by mid-August 2023, 3,039 tons of this substance were imported into Russia. Nitrocellulose is used to produce civilian products such as inks, paints and varnishes. It is also used to make smokeless artillery powder and rocket fuel.
At the same time, according to customs documents studied by journalists, the main suppliers of nitrocellulose were enterprises from the USA, Germany, Taiwan and China. According to the newspaper, half of the imports are provided by the Turkish company Noy İç Ve Diş Ticaret. She established connections with Russian contractors three months after the war began in Ukraine.
Through Turkey, in particular, the products of the American company International Flavors & Fragrances, Taiwanese TNC Industrial and German Hagedorn-NC. In addition, the newspaper writes, nitrocellulose is imported into Russia from Chinese logistics companies.
The Wall Street Journal notes that supplies of nitrocellulose to Russia occur against the backdrop of a shortage of this substance in NATO countries. Because of this, Western defense enterprises cannot produce the number of shells Ukraine needs.