Western-tech equipped Russian warplanes clash in Ukraine, defying international sanctions
In the ongoing Ukraine conflict, a troubling revelation has emerged: the Su-34 and Su-35 bombers, key players in Russian air attacks, are powered by a substantial number of Western-origin microelectronics.
These advanced Russian jets, manufactured by Sukhoi, have been found to contain over 1,100 Western-made microchips and electronic components from more than 140 companies across eight countries[1][3][5]. Most of these components are from U.S. manufacturers, but they also originate from countries such as Germany and Japan, indicating a broad Western industrial involvement[1][3].
These components play a crucial role in the aircraft's avionics, targeting, and weapons systems functionality[1][3]. Precision-guided munitions, such as AB and UMPB D30-SN bombs and Grom-1 missiles, used in numerous attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, are part of this Western-origin equipment[1][3].
The Su-34 and Su-35 aircraft have been central to Russian air attacks on cities like Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Kherson, and Sumy, resulting in the death of 26 civilians and over a hundred injuries[2]. The aircraft's ability to transport heavy loads of precision-guided ammunition and have a large attack radius makes them capable of hitting distant targets.
This situation raises complex questions about the role Western commercial technology plays inadvertently or indirectly in sustaining parts of the Russian war machine. Despite international sanctions, these components continue to find their way into Russian military hardware[1][3][5].
The supply of components for Russian military equipment has been a topic of concern since the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The lack of end-user controls is a significant factor in Putin's success in evading sanctions[6]. A joint investigation by the International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR), NAKO, and Hunterbrook Media has identified patterns for Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure that could be considered evidence of war crimes by the Kremlin[7].
Meanwhile, Ukraine has reportedly retaliated with massive drone attacks on important pipeline infrastructure in Russia[8]. Putin continues to pressure Ukrainian air defense with blitzkrieg-style "Jet-Drone" attacks[9]. The sanctions against Russia have been significantly strengthened due to Vladimir Putin's aggressive war in Ukraine[10].
References:
- Investigation Finds Western Components in Russian Bombers
- Civilian Casualties Mount in Ukrainian Cities
- Western Microelectronics Power Russian Bombers
- The Role of Su-34 and Su-35 in Ukraine War
- Identifying Companies Suspected of Supplying Components
- Lack of End-User Controls Aids Putin in Evading Sanctions
- Patterns of Russian Attacks on Civilian Infrastructure
- Ukraine Strikes Russian Pipeline Infrastructure
- Putin's Pressure on Ukrainian Air Defense
- Strengthened Sanctions Against Russia
- The troubling revelation of Western-origin microelectronics in Sukhoi's Su-34 and Su-35 jets, key players in Russian air attacks during the Ukraine conflict, raises questions about the unintended contribution of Western commercial technology to the Russian war machine.
- The use of precision-guided munitions like AB and UMPB D30-SN bombs and Grom-1 missiles, part of the Western-origin equipment found in these Russian jets, has been a contentious issue in the ongoing general news and politics surrounding the Ukraine conflict.
