Cigarette companies continue to be important source of income for Kremlin coffers
Tobacco companies have paid almost £7bn in taxes to the Kremlin since the invasion of Ukraine, despite vowing to pull out of Russia.
Analysis by The Telegraph of Russian Treasury figures shows that the Kremlin has received 480bn roubles (£6.8bn) from the tobacco industry in the eight months since Putin launched his war.
London-based British American Tobacco, Philip Morris International and Japan Tobacco International hold more than 90pc market share in Russia, meaning the three companies alone have contributed at least £6.3bn.
The figures highlight how the world’s biggest tobacco firms are continuing to fund Putin’s war efforts, despite pledging to cut ties with Russia.