Reuters: Indian Firm Shipped Explosives to Russia Despite U.S. Warnings

An Indian company has supplied military-grade explosive material to Russia valued at $1.4 million.

Reuters reported on this, referencing data from Indian customs authorities.

The company involved is Ideal Detonators Private Limited, which in December 2024 shipped two batches of octogen (HMX) to Russian clients.

The recipients were the Russian plant Promsintez, which specializes in explosive production, and the closed joint-stock company CJSC VSI – High-Tech Initiation Systems. Both are located in the Samara region.

According to documents the agency obtained, Promsintez paid over $1 million for the shipment, while CJSC VSI paid $405,000.

Octogen, also known as HMX, is a powerful explosive compound widely used in the production of warheads, shells, and solid rocket fuel.

In the United States, octogen is considered “critically important to Russia’s military efforts,” and foreign companies and banks are warned against any involvement in supplying this substance to Moscow. It is noted that there have been no previous reports of octogen sales to Russian firms.

India, which has recently strengthened its ties with the United States to balance China’s growing influence, has not abandoned its longstanding military and economic relationships with Moscow.

Trade between India and Russia, particularly India’s purchases of Russian oil, remains steady despite Western countries’ attempts to cripple Russia’s war economy through sanctions.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that the export of dual-use goods by domestic manufacturers is conducted in accordance with existing laws and international non-proliferation commitments.

The U.S. State Department did not comment on the specific shipments identified by Reuters. Still, it reiterated that it has repeatedly warned India that companies involved in military-related business face the risk of sanctions.

On April 5 of this year, strike drones operated by the Security Service of Ukraine attacked the Promsintez facility in Chapayevsk, Samara region, which is one of Russia’s leading producers of explosives.