Russian online marketplace Ozon sold customers $290 million worth of military and dual-use goods over the past year

In the past year, the Russian online marketplace Ozon facilitated the sale of over 2.13 million items that could potentially be used for military purposes, generating more than 25 billion rubles ($290 million) in revenue, according to independent outlet Verstka. Journalists identified four key categories of goods: military-tactical gear, optics, drones and their components, and firearm parts and accessories.

Tactical gear, including body armor, ballistic helmets, tactical vests, protective plates, and neck and shoulder protection, accounted for the largest portion of sales, generating 9.14 billion rubles ($106.2 million) in revenue, or over 527,000 items. Body armor sales alone totaled 5.07 billion rubles ($58.9 million), with an average order value of 32,300 rubles ($375).

Ballistic helmets generated 1.48 billion rubles ($17.2 million), and tactical vests and belts accounted for 1.2 billion rubles ($13.9 million). Military optics, such as collimator, digital, and thermal imaging sights, night vision devices, and thermal imagers, were ordered nearly 350,000 times, generating 7.22 billion rubles ($83.9 million) in revenue.

Drones and related products, including frames, propellers, receivers, cameras, batteries, and fully assembled drones, were purchased for 6.26 billion rubles ($72.7 million). Small arms components and accessories were ordered for nearly 2.46 billion rubles ($28.5 million), with weapon grips as the most frequently purchased item. The data, sourced from Ozon’s internal analytics, may include items ultimately used for civilian purposes, and does not specify buyers or end recipients.

Ozon has not commented on the findings. Recent aerial attacks on Ozon warehouses in Russia, which has a 34% ownership stake under Gennady Timchenko, highlight the potential risks associated with selling military and dual-use goods.