Despite bans on European, US, Japanese, and South Korean cars in Russia due to sanctions post-Ukraine war, these vehicles are still making their way into the country. Recent registration data reveals a significant influx of foreign-brand vehicles into Russia, primarily channeled through China. These cars, including those from Europe, are being funneled to Russian buyers through a growing gray-market system facilitated by Chinese intermediaries.
A notable trend is the categorization of these new vehicles as “zero-mileage used” cars, allowing them to be sold in the local market before being exported to Russia. Autostat reports that over 130,000 vehicles from sanctioning countries were sold in Russia in 2025, with more than 700,000 such vehicles registered since early 2022. Toyota stands out as one of the top foreign brands in Russia, with a significant number of units sold last year, predominantly manufactured in China.
Luxury models, particularly high-end SUVs like the Mercedes G-Class, continue to attract affluent Russian consumers. Despite claims by auto manufacturing giants of prohibiting direct sales to Russia, the complexity of monitoring indirect trade through third parties poses challenges. Authorities from Europe, Japan, and South Korea are investigating potential sanctions violations, although experts highlight the difficulty of enforcing regulations in globalized supply chains and intermediary networks.
