Tracking the Trail: How KTM Motorcycles Reach Russia Despite Sanctions

From battlefield tactics to border loopholes — what KTM motorcycle imports reveal about sanctions, strategy, and supply chains.

Faced with mounting losses from Ukrainian drone strikes, Russian forces are shifting tactics — replacing traditional armored vehicles with motorcycles in fast-paced frontline assaults. According to recent media reports, these lightweight vehicles are being deployed to maximize mobility and reduce aerial visibility. The new approach allows Russian troops to maneuver more quickly, evade drone detection, and execute rapid strikes across contested zones.

Often operating in pairs - one soldier driving, the other firing — these units are increasingly supported by electronic warfare teams. What began as a battlefield improvisation has now been formalized by the Russian Defense Ministry, which has launched specialized training programs for motorcycle assault teams.

Trade data reflects this tactical shift. Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has significantly increased its imports of motorcycles. A notable example includes import records from JSC Avtodom (АО “Автодом”, Avtodom), a major Russian automobile holding whose beneficial owner, Andrey Olkhovsky, was sanctioned by the United Kingdom in early 2025 due to his involvement in Russia’s strategically important transportation sector.

While many of the motorcycles seen on the battlefield are Chinese-made, Austrian brand KTM still appears in Russian import data — despite European Union sanctions enacted on March 15, 2022, which ban exports of motorcycles worth over EUR 5,000 to Russia. The following charts show how imports of KTM motorcycles have increased since 2021.

Russian Imports of KMT Motorcycles by Net Weight

Russian Imports of KTM Motorcycles by Cargo Price in USD

Before 2022, most KTM shipments were exported directly from KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH in Austria. Since the sanctions, however, the import pattern has shifted: Russia now likely uses a combination of tactics to circumvent restrictions. Lower-value motorcycles (valued at below EUR 5,000 each) may still be legally acquired, while higher-end models are routed through third countries such as Turkey, Belarus, and Kyrgyzstan (see chart below). This workaround potentially suggests deliberate sanction evasion through transshipment hubs and undervalued declarations.

Ironically, KTM motorcycles were donated to the Ukrainian military early in the war — making it all the more notable that the brand continues to appear in Russian import data despite EU sanctions.

Avtodom's Shipments of Motorcycles after Sanctions

How Is Russia Still Getting EU Goods?

This case highlights a growing challenge: despite extensive sanctions, Russia continues to gain access to restricted EU-manufactured goods through indirect routes. Motorcycles, vehicle components, and even dual-use technologies often find their way into Russia via intermediary countries, false declarations, or undervalued invoices. These patterns suggest these are isolated incidents, but a broader network of sanction circumvention.

Understanding how these goods move — and who is facilitating their transfer — is crucial for anyone engaged in cross-border trade, compliance, or risk management. As geopolitical tensions evolve, regulators are placing increasing scrutiny on companies that may be unwittingly involved in indirect exports to sanctioned entities.

For organizations navigating this complex environment, in-depth due diligence and trade intelligence can offer a clearer picture of the risks involved.