In a significant revelation, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine has discovered tens of thousands of foreign components in the drones and missiles used by Russia during a recent airstrike. On October 5, Russian forces launched a large-scale assault, deploying nearly 500 drones and over 50 missiles, a strike that tragically resulted in the deaths of five civilians, including in the western Lviv region, far from the frontline. This attack also severely impacted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Zelensky detailed that the combined strike involved 549 weapon systems equipped with a staggering 102,785 foreign-made parts. He underscored that these components originated from manufacturers across multiple countries, including the United States, China, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, and the Netherlands.
Among the foreign parts identified were critical technology components such as converters, sensors, and microcomputers essential for drone operation. Notably, Zelensky pointed out that microcontrollers for unmanned aerial vehicles are sourced from Switzerland, while microcomputers for flight control come from the United Kingdom.
In light of these findings, the President announced that Ukraine is preparing to impose new sanctions on the manufacturers of these foreign components. He emphasized the importance of curtailing the supply chains that support Russia’s military capabilities. “We have communicated proposals to curb the supply schemes,” he stated, highlighting that Ukraine’s partners are already equipped with detailed data on each company and product identified in the strike.
Zelensky’s statements underscore the continuing complexity of the conflict, revealing not just the scale of Russian aggression but also the intricate web of international supply chains that inadvertently support such hostilities.
