Russian weapons used in the recent attacks on Ukraine contained British microcomputers and over 100,000 foreign-made components, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky called for more effective sanctions on Russia, highlighting that parts in the Russian arms originated from allied nations like Germany, Japan, and the US.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) spokesperson emphasized the government’s efforts to restrict UK products from ending up in Russian weaponry, stating they are taking reports seriously.
The spokesperson mentioned that the government has prohibited the export of numerous goods to Russia, including all military items identified by Ukraine, as part of stringent sanctions. Non-compliance with these sanctions could lead to severe penalties or legal action, with over £20 billion ($26.9 billion) of UK-Russia business now affected.
Zelensky pointed out that the UK produces microcomputers for drone control systems, stressing the importance of halting any attempts to bypass sanctions. He mentioned that Ukraine’s allies possess detailed information on the companies and products used in Russian weaponry.
Other countries like China, Taiwan, and the Netherlands were also named for supplying components found in Russian arms.
Following the attacks that resulted in casualties, Russia launched 549 missiles and drones overnight. Despite facing extensive sanctions post-Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has managed to maintain its economy by boosting military spending and finding new energy export markets in China and India.