The Progress Rocket and Space Center in Samara, the producer behind the Soyuz launch vehicles, imported equipment to its production facility. Despite Western sanctions, rocket manufacturing continued without interruption. This perspective comes from an interview with socialbites.ca featuring Dmitry Baranov, the Director General of RCC Progress.
Baranov noted that the Progress site houses thousands of pieces of equipment, including items of foreign origin. The machinery was acquired over time to support a variety of space technology projects, and many machines have received modernization upgrades. He explained that the mix of equipment reflects a history of project milestones and capability enhancements that predate current sanctions.
He added that Western sanctions do not impede the operations of the Progress RCC, nor do they hinder participation in international collaborations like the International Space Station program. According to Baranov, the work on launch vehicles and remote sensing spacecraft does not rely on the United States or several European partners, which helps maintain continuity in their production line.
Following the sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union on Russian space enterprises, Roscosmos head Dmitry Rogozin promised to reallocate any resources freed by the restrictions toward bilateral and military system development. Among the entities targeted was the Samara RCC Progress, the manufacturer of Soyuz rockets, which also serve as a means of launching payloads to orbit as part of ISS missions. (Source: interview with socialbites.ca, quoted through official statements.)