Ukrainian officials have completed an analysis of a downed Russian drone, uncovering numerous Western-made electronic components within the wreckage.
Openly Available
These parts, identified as products from firms such as Maxim Integrated Products, Infineon Technologies, Xilinx Inc, Texas Instruments, Analog Devices, Fairchild Semiconductor, and STMicroelectronics, raise questions about how Russia is sourcing advanced technology amid global sanctions.
Some of the identified components were manufactured as recently as 2022, indicating they reached Russia even after the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to WP.
Interestingly, these components are not military-grade but civilian electronics typically found in consumer products like car engine controllers.
Many such parts are openly available on e-commerce platforms, suggesting that Russia may be circumventing restrictions by acquiring commercially available electronics.
This find shows how difficult it is to fully block Russia from accessing advanced electronics, similar to challenges faced with Iran.
For example, certain AMD Xilinx XA7Z010 chips remain available for general purchase, allowing Russia to select versions that meet their minimum performance requirements.
Reports suggest that intermediaries, often based in countries like Kazakhstan, are supplying Russia with these electronics, although at several times their market price.
Another strategy involves salvaging components from consumer goods or dismantled vehicles, adapting them for military purposes. North Korean missiles, for example, have reportedly used Toyota car bearings as substitutes due to a lack of dedicated military-grade parts.
One particular Russian drone, the S-70 Okhotnik, may illustrate this trend. Designed as a “loyal wingman” for Su-57 fighters, the stealth drone uses various consumer-grade electronics.
Launched in 2019, the Okhotnik was Russia’s attempt to create an unmanned combat aircraft capable of carrying up to three tons of guided bombs. However, some wreckage discovered in Ukraine hints that the drone might have been downed by Russian forces themselves, further complicating the analysis of its technology origins.
