The secret trade routes helping Putin dodge Western sanctions

Western sanctions on Russia are tougher than ever and the impact is clear to see in trade figures.

Germany’s exports to the country were down by 54pc in the first six months of this year compared to the same period in 2019, according to an analysis by the Institute for International Finance (IIF).

In the initial months of the war, Russian imports plunged as the West turned its back. In dollar terms, monthly imports in March 2022 were down by 30pc year-on-year.

Yet they bounced back within months.