UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 632 - NOVEMBER 15, 2023

The European Union (EU) is apparently ready to ban the export of precision machine tools and key components for weapons production to Russia.

If this ban were to come into effect and be effectively enforced, it could deal a heavy blow to the Russian defense industry given the importance of precision machine tools for industrial manufacturing. "Bloomberg" reported on November 15 that the EU's 12th sanctions package includes an export ban on precision machine tools and machine parts used by Russia for the production of weapons and ammunition, such as welding equipment, lithium batteries, thermostats, engines, and drone engines. "Bloomberg" writes that Russia has imported precision machinery and machine tools from Europe to sustain its ammunition production and other defense-industrial base efforts. "Bne Intellinews" reported in June 2021 that Russia's nearly complete dependence on precision machine tools manufactured in Europe and the US makes the country particularly vulnerable to such sanctions, noting that at that time, Russia imported almost all the precision machinery it needed.

The complete Russian Offensive Update 632 is available directly from UNDERSTANDING WAR.

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