Despite sanctions on the sale of civilian and aviation tires to Russia, the nation has continued to import ones made by the French firm Michelin. The Guardian reports that the trade is being effected via intermediary companies, including one apparently based in the U.K.

The Guardian reported in September 2024 that shipments of Michelin tires worth $28 million had been received in 2023, despite the company having ceased all exports to Russia since March 2022 after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Now, analysis of records indicates that a significant number are continuing to get through, despite Michelin’s attempts to cut off the trade by adapting their systems for monitoring the diversion of their products.

According to records analyzed by the Economic Security Council of Ukraine, between October 2024, and March 2025, Russia received 2,687 Michelin tires worth more than $7 million, Analysis of the full year of 2024, suggests that sales were facilitated by intermediaries, none of which are clients of Michelin.

The exclusive Guardian report emphasized that there is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Michelin, which has closed all its commercial and industrial activities in Russia.