The Maldives has become a transshipment route for hundreds of millions of dollars in restricted goods bound for Russia, including dual-use components that can support military production. Aeroflot reportedly flies cargo from Malé to Russia each morning after a roughly two-hour loading stop, with shipments later reaching sanctioned companies including airline S7 and its maintenance subsidiaries. Russian trade data analyzed by Import Genius shows Maldivian exports to Russia rising from about $7 million in 2021 to more than $630 million in 2022. Weak customs controls, document changes by local companies and limited physical inspections have helped facilitate the trade. The route remains small compared with major channels through China, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, which handle about $15 billion in restricted Russian imports annually, but it highlights the reach of Russia’s sanctions-evasion network. The United States and European nations are pressing the Maldivian government to close the channels, while the Maldives is acknowledging the issue and considering countermeasures.