More than 100,000 Western-made components were discovered in drones and missiles launched by Russia against Ukraine overnight on Oct. 5, President Volodymyr Zelensky said a day after.
This revelation highlights the continued presence of Western technology in Moscow's weapons, despite years of sanctions.
Russian troops launched around 500 drones and more than 50 missiles in a large-scale attack on Ukraine, targeting settlements across the country, including those far from the front lines in the west. The strike killed at least six people, including an entire family of four, and left 18 others injured.
According to Zelensky, the attack drones contained 100,688 foreign-made components. Around 1,500 were found in Iskander missiles, 192 in Kinzhal ballistic missiles, and 405 in Kalibr cruise missiles.
These components were reportedly manufactured by companies based in the U.S., China, Taiwan, the U.K., Germany, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, and the Netherlands.
Ukraine's partners already have detailed information on every company and every product involved, Zelensky said. He added that Kyiv is also working on new sanctions targeting individuals and entities aiding Russia.
"It is crucial to shut down every scheme that circumvents sanctions, because Russia uses each one to keep killing. The world has the power to stop this," Zelensky said.
While Western countries have banned the export of many dual-use components to Russia, Moscow has adapted to sanctions by relying on smuggling networks and other schemes to obtain restricted goods.
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