Russia’s ambitions to achieve AI supremacy have faltered under the weight of war, international sanctions, and technological isolation. Once aiming to position itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence, Moscow now finds itself increasingly reliant on China to sustain its AI development efforts. Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Western sanctions have severely restricted Russia’s access to advanced semiconductors, cutting-edge software, and critical research collaborations. These restrictions have crippled domestic AI innovation, particularly in areas requiring high-performance computing and large-scale data infrastructure. As a result, Russian tech firms and research institutions have turned to China for alternative supply chains. Chinese-made chips, cloud computing services, and AI frameworks are now playing a central role in maintaining Russia’s limited AI capabilities. Beijing has stepped in with both technical support and strategic partnerships, helping Russia circumvent Western restrictions. Despite these efforts, Russia’s AI sector remains significantly behind global leaders. The country lacks the robust ecosystem of startups, venture capital, and academic talent that fuels innovation in the U.S., China, and Europe. Moreover, the war has drained resources and diverted skilled engineers toward defense-related projects, further weakening the civilian AI sector. Russia’s reliance on China also raises concerns about long-term autonomy. While Beijing offers immediate relief, it comes with strategic dependencies that could limit Russia’s technological sovereignty. Chinese AI models and platforms are increasingly integrated into Russian systems, potentially creating a digital alignment that extends beyond mere cooperation. Meanwhile, Russian scientists and engineers continue to face challenges in accessing international research, conferences, and open-source tools—key drivers of AI progress. Many top researchers have left the country, contributing to a brain drain that undermines future growth. As global AI competition intensifies, Russia’s struggle to keep pace underscores the broader consequences of geopolitical conflict on technological advancement. Without meaningful access to global innovation networks, even ambitious national goals in AI may remain out of reach.