WSJ reports Maldives became transit hub for sanctioned goods to Russia

September 2, 2026 at 04:03 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

The Wall Street Journal reports that American, European, and Chinese goods, including missile components and satellite optics, are being shipped to Russia via the Maldives. The shipments bypass Maldivian customs and are transferred to Aeroflot flights after minimal inspection. The trade has surged despite the Maldives' near-total lack of industry.

Key Facts

Russian imports from the Maldives rose from less than $7 million in 2021 to over $630 million in 2022, a more than 90-fold increase.
In 2024, Russian imports from the Maldives totaled $160 million, a figure Import Genius analytics director William George considers understated.
In July, daily transit through the Maldives airport reached a record 126 tons, with Aeroflot accounting for 12% of all outgoing cargo in the first half of the year.
The companies Freight Care and Go Investment, which appeared after the start of the war in Ukraine, handle the transshipment operations.

Transshipment Operations

Cargo arrives at the Maldives airport on one set of aircraft and, after minimal inspection, is transferred to Aeroflot flights. During re-documentation, seller information disappears from the paperwork. These operations are almost entirely absent from Maldivian customs statistics, which for 2022–2025 list only tuna worth $2,300 and printed materials worth $25.

Trade Data Discrepancy

Russian trade data collected by Import Genius show a different picture, with imports from the Maldives surging from under $7 million in 2021 to over $630 million in 2022. In 2024, Russian imports from the Maldives totaled $160 million, though Import Genius analytics director William George believes the true figure is higher. Russian authorities had already restricted publication of trade statistics, and in early 2025 access to this data was completely closed.

Cargo Flow Growth

Indirect evidence points to further growth in cargo flow, with daily transit through the airport reaching a record 126 tons in July. In the first half of the year, Aeroflot accounted for 12% of all outgoing cargo from the Maldives. Aeroflot operates commercial flights from the Maldives daily.