Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed that British-made microcomputers were among foreign components found in Russian missiles and drones used in recent deadly attacks on Ukraine. The strikes, which hit western regions including Lviv and killed four members of one family in Lapaivka, involved more than 549 missiles and drones launched overnight.
Zelensky said over 100,000 foreign-made parts have been identified in Russian weapons, originating from countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, the United States, China, Taiwan, and the Netherlands. He called for tougher and more “effective” international sanctions to prevent such components from reaching Russia’s military supply chain.
Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Zelensky stated, “Microcomputers for drone flight control are produced in the United Kingdom. It is crucial to shut down every scheme that circumvents sanctions.” He emphasized that countries supporting Ukraine already have detailed data on companies and products still being used by Russia, urging them to act decisively.
In response, the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT) said it takes such reports “incredibly seriously” and has already implemented measures to block exports of critical items to Russia. A government spokesperson confirmed that the UK has banned the export of “thousands of goods” to Russia, including all battlefield items identified by Ukraine.
Over £20 billion ($26.9 billion) worth of UK trade with Russia is now subject to sanctions, according to the DBT. Firms or individuals found violating these restrictions could face heavy fines or criminal prosecution.
Despite being the world’s most-sanctioned nation since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia’s economy has remained resilient due to high military spending and continued energy exports to China and India. However, recent warnings from Russian officials suggest growing financial strain, with the economy reportedly teetering “on the brink of recession.”
