Sanctions have significantly limited Russia's access to Western electronics, pushing the country to seek these components through illicit channels.
Smuggled Electonic Components
This has led to Western parts being found in Russian military equipment, including missiles and drones. Recently, the arrest of Denis Postovoy, a Russian national residing in Florida, has shed light on this underground operation, according to WP.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced Postovoy’s arrest, focusing his role in organizing an international network that smuggled electronic components from the U.S. to Russia.
Postovoy’s scheme involved exporting electronics through intermediaries in Hong Kong and Switzerland, masking their true destination. These components were critical for manufacturing advanced combat drones used by the Russian military.
Exported Dual-Use Technology
According to U.S. prosecutors, Postovoy illegally exported dual-use technology that could enhance Russia’s warfare capabilities against Ukraine.
The indictment revealed that Postovoy deceived authorities about the final destinations of the technology and used intermediaries to obscure the illicit nature of his activities.
The arrest explains the presence of American parts in Russian weaponry, such as Iskander-K missiles and Kh-101 cruise missiles.
These Western components are essential for the proper functioning of these weapons. Additionally, Western parts — 75% of which are American — have been identified in the Lancet loitering munition and the KN-23 ballistic missiles, which North Korea has supplied to Russia.
