Reuters: Indian company shipped military-grade explosives to Russia

An Indian company exported $1.4 million worth of a powerful explosive compound with military applications to Russia in December 2024, according to Indian customs data reviewed by Reuters.

The compound, known as HMX or octogen, is widely used in advanced military systems, including missile and torpedo warheads, rocket motors, and plastic-bonded explosives.

The U.S. government has classified HMX as “critical for Russia’s war effort” and has repeatedly warned that any entity or financial institution facilitating such sales to Moscow risks severe sanctions. Nonetheless, two Russian companies received the shipment, including the defence-linked manufacturer Promsintez and a Russian subsidiary of Spanish explosives firm Maxam, which is controlled by New York-based private equity firm Rhone Capital.

A Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) official told Reuters that Promsintez has ties to Russia’s military, adding that a drone strike was launched in April 2025 against one of its factories in retaliation for its role in the Ukraine conflict. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the company had previously drawn attention for cooperation with foreign entities, including Indian partners.

Though the shipment has not been previously reported, its disclosure comes amid heightened scrutiny of global trade links supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. The U.S. Treasury Department holds authority to impose sanctions on parties involved in the transfer of such materials to Russia, according to legal experts cited by Reuters.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs defended the country’s export policies, stating: “India has been carrying out exports of dual-use items taking into account its international obligations on non-proliferation, and based on its robust legal and regulatory framework that includes a holistic assessment of relevant criteria on such exports.”

While HMX is primarily a military-grade explosive, Indian officials argue it has limited civilian applications, though such uses remain undefined in this context.

India, a long-standing strategic partner of Russia, has maintained close economic ties with Moscow despite increasing collaboration with the United States and growing Western pressure. Indian imports of discounted Russian crude have surged since 2022, even as the West seeks to cripple Russia’s wartime economy. Earlier in July, U.S. President Donald Trump warned of imposing 100% tariffs on countries continuing to purchase Russian oil.

The U.S. State Department declined to comment on the specific shipment but reiterated its position on sanctions enforcement: “We have repeatedly made clear to all our partners, including India, that any foreign company or financial institution that does business with Russia's military industrial base are at risk of U.S. sanctions,” a spokesperson said.

The State Department did not respond to follow-up questions regarding the involvement of U.S. and Spanish firms with one of the Russian recipient companies.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Vladyslav Vlasiuk acknowledged the shipment, stating: “While India has not typically been among the primary jurisdictions used for circumventing sanctions, we are aware that isolated cases can occur. We can confirm that the Russian company Promsintez has appeared on our radar in the past, including in connection with cooperation involving Indian counterparts.”

By Vugar Khalilov