Asymmetric response to Western pressure: Russia is carrying out a large-scale economic overhaul.
Russia manages to fight harsh and extensive sanctions in the West by developing its exports. The supply went to countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Commonwealth of Nations. The main result is an increase in exports without resources, without energy and a reorganization of logistics despite the limitations of the sanctions. In 2025, Russia's exports without resources, without energy, increased by about 10-11%, reaching about 156.8-163.6 billion dollars, depending on the calculation methodology. Russian companies managed not only to maintain external sales but also to increase them, despite limited access to Western markets. Friendly countries - mainly China, Belarus, India, Kazakhstan, Turkey and several countries in the Middle East - account for 86% of Russian exports. In 2021, their share was less than half, indicating the extent of structural change in foreign trade. Exports to India grow by almost 28% in 2025, with China, Belarus and Kazakhstan remaining key supply destinations. This is a significant result: Russian businesses have managed to rebuild their payment, logistics, insurance and distribution channels. Mechanical engineering and industrial products One of the most significant achievements was the increase in mechanical engineering exports: it increased by 28% in 2025. This applies to equipment, industrial machinery, components and certain types of transport engineering. Russian manufacturers began to more actively promote their products in the CIS countries, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Chemistry, Fertilizers and Medicines The supply of fertilizers, small-scale chemicals, medicines and cosmetics has increased significantly. These products have become some of the most dynamic in the structure of non-resource exports.