How sanctions are undermining russia’s ‘defense industry’
The Novotroitsk Chromium Compounds Plant in russia’s orenburg region is shutting down operations. The plant’s management has openly admitted that Western sanctions are to blame. The company can no longer function as it has lost access to raw materials previously imported from abroad.
In January 2024, the Novotroitsk plant was added to the U.S. sanctions list. This facility is one of russia’s largest suppliers of chromium and chromium compounds, which are critical for artillery barrel production. Its shutdown will deliver a significant blow to russia’s so-called defense industry.
This is a clear example of how sanctions can cripple russia’s strategic industries. Notably, russian propaganda is shifting its rhetoric on sanctions—no one is claiming they are “ineffective” or even “beneficial” anymore, as ignoring reality has become impossible.
