The New York Times (NYT) reports that Russia appears to be defying sanctions and increasing its production of missiles, surpassing levels seen in 2022. In response to this situation, the United States is focusing on bolstering Ukrainian air defense capabilities.

It is noted that Russia may be obtaining scarce missile components through an extensive network of smuggling routes that pass through third countries like Armenia and Turkey. American officials are concerned that this increase in missile production could lead to new missile strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure during the fall and winter.

The article highlights the difficulty faced by Western countries in fully preventing sanctions evasion, mainly due to the nature of the goods involved. Russia is reportedly seeking commercialized chips that have a wide range of applications, not just in guided missiles, making it challenging for authorities to track and regulate the flow of these components.

The situation underscores the ongoing challenges in enforcing sanctions and controlling the proliferation of military equipment in conflict zones.