5 Key Takeaways from Our Webinar on Russia’s Evolving Economic Tactics 

Russia’s strategies for sustaining its technological edge and navigating economic isolation have drastically shifted in recent years, particularly since the war in Ukraine.  

During our recent webinar, Navigating the New Geopolitical Reality, Strider intelligence specialists delved into the findings from our latest white paper and shared actionable insights for organizations to safeguard their operations.  

If you missed it, here are five key themes we explored. 

One of the central themes discussed was Russia’s pursuit of “technological sovereignty.” This concept underscores Russia’s effort to reduce its reliance on foreign technologies and talent, a challenge exacerbated by sanctions, export controls, and a significant brain drain. 

To achieve these goals, Russia has intensified efforts to recruit foreign talent, leverage academic connections, and invest in domestic reverse engineering projects. As a Strider intelligence specialist highlighted, “Russia’s push for technological sovereignty isn’t just about survival—it’s a long-term strategy to dominate key industries.” 

Reverse engineering emerged as a critical focus area in the discussion. Russia has been using funds from its “exit tax” on departing foreign companies to finance reverse engineering projects aimed at replicating Western technologies. These efforts, often coordinated with intelligence agencies, target industries like defense and high-tech manufacturing. 

A Strider expert noted, “The integration of intelligence services into reverse engineering projects allows Russia to weaponize this knowledge, not just for domestic use but also to compete in global markets. The partnership between Russia and Iran further amplifies the risks.” 

Sanctions and diplomatic restrictions have disrupted Russia’s traditional intelligence networks, leading to a reliance on unconventional methods. Strider intelligence specialists explained that Russia increasingly recruits individuals already living in Europe and leverages online platforms like LinkedIn to target potential assets. This shift toward “non-official covers” has made it harder for organizations to detect and mitigate risks. 

The team emphasized that “Strider’s intelligence solutions are uniquely positioned to uncover these connections, flagging risk signals tied to individuals and entities with potential ties to state-sponsored activities.” 

The webinar also explored Russia’s “gray zone operations,” which encompass sabotage, vandalism, and cyberattacks targeting countries and organizations supporting Ukraine. These low-cost, high-impact tactics aim to sow fear and undermine cohesion within NATO and the EU. 

A Strider expert highlighted, “Russia’s gray zone tactics blur the lines between traditional and unconventional warfare, making it essential for organizations to stay vigilant and proactive.” 

The discussion wrapped up with insights into Russia’s sophisticated sanctions evasion networks. Despite stringent export controls, Russia continues to acquire critical technologies through intermediaries in countries like China and Turkey. The upcoming EU enforcement of “No Re-Exports to Russia” clauses in 2025 was highlighted as a key development to watch. 

A Strider specialist observed, “Sanctions are like a game of whack-a-mole—just as one network is disrupted, another emerges. The private sector plays a critical role in staying ahead by conducting rigorous supply chain due diligence.” 

The webinar underscored the importance of leveraging strategic intelligence to mitigate risks posed by state-sponsored actors. Strider’s platform combines advanced analytics with exclusive data to provide unparalleled visibility into supply chain vulnerabilities, personnel connections, and other risk factors. 

As a Strider intelligence specialist put it, “Every organization has unique challenges, and Strider is here to help you tackle them at scale.” 

For a deeper dive into these insights, we encourage you to: 

If you’d like to discuss how these themes specifically impact your organization, schedule a consultation here.  

Together, we can navigate these challenges and protect what matters most.