Russia is a relative laggard in the semiconductor field. Today, with the rapid development of chips and the Internet, there are no semiconductor companies or Internet giants in Russia to hold hands with. Today, more than 90% or even 95% of Russia's chips are purchased from abroad, and only some of the chips for military equipment are self-sufficient. Chips are generally categorized into military and civilian chips. Military chips do not require high manufacturing technology because military equipment is not as small as cell phones and computers, requiring the use of higher-performance chips that are smaller in size. Military chips focus more on having relatively safe and stable working conditions in various environments.
Russia is self-sufficient in military chips, but has been a "civilian end user" rather than developing both commercial and civilian chips. In other words, Russia can produce its own military chips and buy high-end chips outright, so it's not worried about the correlation between high-end chips and lithography. What are the reasons why Russia is lagging behind in the field of chips? Before the advent of integrated circuits, the Soviet Union and the United States had different options for chip development. The Soviets chose to develop electronic components known as "tubes," suitable for military equipment and able to withstand electromagnetic pulses from nuclear weapons, while transistors could not.
In recent years, Russia and the United States often have a small friction, but why is the United States everywhere to pressure our semiconductor companies, but not to Russia in these areas of sanctions? The main reason is that Russia's semiconductor industry does not threaten the United States in the field of semiconductors, while Huawei, SMIC and other companies involved in the field of semiconductors can make the United States feel unprecedented pressure. Before Huawei surpassed the United States in the field of 5G, the United States had been immersed in the glory of "technological hegemony" and had a comfortable life. However, since Huawei's 5G technology has taken the lead over the U.S., various U.S. behaviors have shown that its position in the high-tech field is under threat. This means that US profits in 5G equipment, including 5G chips, will suffer.
To put it bluntly, the U.S. has been the seller when it comes to high-tech equipment, chip design and manufacturing. Russian and Chinese companies have been buyers, but China has found a breakthrough and become a seller as well. Russia is different. Currently, Russia is relatively backward in its high-tech development, and its status as a "civilian chip end-user" will not change for the time being, which will not threaten the U.S. position in science and technology. This is why the United States will always target China and turn a blind eye to Russia.