Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed that microcomputers manufactured in the United Kingdom are among more than 100,000 foreign-made components found in Russian missiles and drones used in Sunday’s deadly attacks against Ukraine.
Zelensky called for tougher and more effective sanctions, stating that parts originating from allied countries such as Germany, Japan, and the United States are still being used in Russian weaponry.
The UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) said it has recently taken action against British companies whose products continue to end up in Russia’s military supply chain.
“We take extremely seriously any reports suggesting that products from UK companies are found in Russian weapons,” said a British government spokesperson.
The spokesperson added that the UK has banned exports of thousands of goods to Russia, including any equipment identified by Ukraine as being used on the battlefield, and has imposed the toughest sanctions packages ever.
Any individual or company violating sanctions could face heavy fines or criminal prosecution.
According to the DBT, about $25 billion in UK–Russia trade is currently under sanctions.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Zelensky wrote:
“Microcomputers for drone flight control are manufactured in the United Kingdom.”
He emphasized the need to halt all schemes that bypass sanctions, noting that countries supporting Ukraine now have detailed data on every company and every product still being used by Russia.
Zelensky also said that components from China, Taiwan, and the Netherlands have been identified in Russian weapons as well.
Meanwhile, four members of a family, including a 15-year-old girl, were killed in a missile strike on the village of Lapaivka on Sunday. Russia launched 549 missiles and drones overnight, mainly targeting the western Lviv region.
