War in Ukraine: American and European electronic chips found in Russian weapons, despite sanctions

Un char russe T-90 détruit lors de la contre offensive ukrainienne en septembre. (illustration) MAXPPP – DAVID ALLIGNON

Sanctions against Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine have been numerous, but not all of them appear to be implemented. As evidence of this, numerous American and European parts found in Russian weapons.

The war in Ukraine will turn two years old in a few weeks. Sanctions had been taken against Russia, particularly at the economic level, but according to the revelations of Bloomberg, many electronic chips, manufactured by American and European companies.

Imports that bring in income

These components represent more than half of the semiconductors and integrated circuits imported into Russia during the first nine months of last year, specifies Géo, for an amount amounting to 1.5 billion euros.

These observations have been made on several occasions. "In one of the missiles which struck Kryvyï Rih today' Today, around fifty components, mainly micro-electronics, have been produced in other countries", declared Volodymyr Zelensky on June 13, 2023. The Ukrainian president had taken speech "after the explosion of a Russian missile in the east of the country", indicated our colleagues from World.

Intel, Infineon Technologies…

Several major brands are concerned such as these American ones:  Intel, Analog Devices or  Advanced Micro Devices. On the European side, we can note the presence of Infineon Technologies, STMicroelectronics and NXP Semiconductors in the classified data of the Russian customs services, which Bloomberg.

Faced with this, companies say they will stop all activities with Vladimir Putin's country. For its part, Intel explained that it follows "all regulations and sanctions applicable to export".

New sanctions ?

If many of these manufacturers defend themselves, their word may not be false. "Distributors manage a large share of chip industry sales and they have several suppliers", highlights Bloomberg . We must therefore understand that the products which return to Russia are in reality re-exports which come from third countries, such as China, Turkey but also the United Arab Emirates.

To fight against the proliferation of these parts which aim to be integrated into Russian weapons, the European Union and the United States have legislated.

If the application of sanctions seems to be rather random, this should change soon. The European Union should therefore announce "a thirteenth package of sanctions against Russia on the occasion of the second anniversary of the Russian invasion' ;quot;, reported Europe 1 around ten days ago.