Russia has put up for sale its weapons – from Kalashnikovs to missile systems – at a weapons fair in Abu Dhabi (UAE). Along with the Russian tent, one could see Bayraktar and Javelin.
Denis Manturov, Minister of Trade and Industry of Russia, who is under US and British sanctions, was noticed at the event.
Russia sells weapons despite sanctions
Emirates officials did not acknowledge Manturov's presence. In turn, the US State Department did not respond to a request from journalists asking them to comment on Russia's presence at an arms exhibition in the country where the US military is located.
According to AP, from the screen at the exhibition, Russian representatives talked about the power of Russian anti-aircraft missile systems similar to those currently used to strike cities in Ukraine. Vendors also demonstrated Kalashnikov assault rifles in the UAE.
Several civilian aircraft were shown near the Russian Helicopters tent.
A Turkish Bayraktar drone was deployed near the Russian tent. And after a few minutes of walking – a model of the American Javelin anti-tank missile. Both are used in Ukraine. The US Army also displayed a battery of Patriot missiles at the exhibition.
Journalists also note that Russian money, despite the sanctions, continues to flow into the Dubai real estate market. Daily flights between the Emirates and Moscow continue, facilitating flight from the mobilization and travel of the Russian elite.
The US Treasury has previously expressed concern about the amount of Russian cash flowing into the country of the Arabian Peninsula.
What's wrong with the exhibition
IDEX (The International Defense Exhibition) is one of the most representative international arms exhibitions held every two years.
IDEX was still distinguished by the fact that it accepted individuals and companies that are considered problematic in the West. Former Sudanese leader accused of war crimes, Omar al-Bashir, was seen at this exhibition in 2017, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov in 2019 and 2021. This year's event caught the attention of Libyan Khalifa Haftar, commander of the self-proclaimed “Libyan National Army”, which is still on trial in the United States on charges of organizing indiscriminate attacks on civilians and torturing and killing political opponents.
