kyiv – A Russian missile that struck a government building in central Kyiv on Sunday contained a meaningful number of components originally manufactured in the United States and Europe, Ukrainian officials said, highlighting the ongoing challenge of preventing Western technology from aiding Russia‘s war effort.
The revelation underscores how Russia continues to source critical technology, despite export controls imposed by the U.S. and its allies following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While many of the components have legitimate civilian applications, they are being repurposed for use in Russian guided bombs, missiles, and drones, directly contributing to attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and civilians. This raises questions about the effectiveness of current export controls and the role of third-party countries in facilitating the flow of technology to Russia.
Most of the foreign parts found within the missile are “dual-use” components – designed for civilian use but adaptable for military purposes. An inquiry by the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations last year revealed that U.S.-made components “continue to guide and power the Russian weapons that kill Ukrainians daily,” despite efforts by american firms to prevent their products from reaching Moscow.the subcommittee’s findings indicated that companies in countries like China and Kazakhstan are purchasing these parts and than reselling them to Russia, circumventing direct export restrictions. These components include American-made chips intended for household electronics, smart devices, and gaming gadgets.
