Russia Continues Importing Michelin Aviation Tyres Despite Sanctions, Records Suggest
Despite sanctions prohibiting civilian and aviation tyre imports, Russia continues to receive Michelin aviation tyres via intermediary companies, including a UK-based entity. Between October 2024 and March 2025, Russia imported 2,687 Michelin tyres valued at over $7 million. In 2023, shipments worth approximately $28 million were delivered to Russia, even though Michelin had suspended exports in March 2022.
In 2024, deliveries were routed through intermediaries located in Turkey, Spain, Saudi Arabia, India, and the UK firm General Trade Solutions (UK), which is not registered with the UK Companies House. Melaris LLC emerged as the largest Russian importer during this period, supplying the Russian military-industrial complex.
Michelin has stated that it complies with applicable sanctions and has strengthened its export-control and sanctions compliance program. The company emphasized that none of the tyres exported to Russia were for military use, while also noting concerns about data quality and risks of counterfeit declarations. Michelin has also closed all its commercial and industrial activities in Russia, according to a company spokesperson.
Ukraine's Roman Steblivskyi highlighted that Russia's aviation sector remains dependent on Western tyres and urged Michelin to take measures to curb illicit re-exports. He also pointed out gaps in due diligence in sanctions enforcement and referenced France's duty-of-care framework.
