2025 Western components found in new Russian drones, Ukrainian official says
Photo: Western components found in Russian drones (Getty Images)
Russia is intensifying attacks on Ukrainian cities and continues to gain access to Western technologies used to manufacture drones, stated Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for Sanctions Policy Vladyslav Vlasiuk, in a comment to journalists.
Details of the attacks
According to Vlasiuk, in recent days, Russia has not reduced the intensity of its strikes on Ukrainian cities. Odesa, Dnipro, Vinnytsia, Ternopil, and Kharkiv have come under attack.
Shahed drones are being used on a large scale, while V2U-type drones are additionally deployed against Kharkiv.
Foreign components in drones
He said that newly identified UAV models contain recently manufactured 2025 components from Germany, Japan, Switzerland, the United States, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.
In particular, a new element — the Transit Brd activation module — has been found for the first time. Components from STMielectronics are still being found despite calls for the company to tighten control over its sales.
"This means that Russia is finding ways to access Western technologies despite restrictions. That is why sanctions pressure must be continuously strengthened to close these supply channels," Vlasiuk said.
At the same time, there are results. New drone models contain almost no components from the Netherlands, which is direct evidence of effective and systematic cooperation with partners.
Ukraine's long-range strikes
According to Vlasiuk, so-called long-range sanctions have already cost Russia at least $7 billion in losses this year.
Specialists are currently working on compiling a list of critical equipment for oil refineries and oil pumping stations.
"Our approach is simple — to cut off access to technologies used in the war, while at the same time reducing the resources that sustain it," he added.
May 1 attack on Ukraine
On the morning of May 1, Russia launched a massive wave of attacks on Ukraine using swarms of strike drones.
Such combined and large-scale attacks involving hundreds of UAVs and advanced systems, including jet-powered drones, have become part of a new tactic aimed at exhausting Ukraine’s air defenses and striking critical infrastructure.
During this attack, Ukrainian air defenses shot down most enemy targets, but falling debris continues to pose a serious threat to civilians.
Ternopil suffered the most damage and destruction, where large fires broke out after the strikes. City authorities reported more than 50 UAVs over the city and dozens of explosions, resulting in damage to urban infrastructure, emergency power outages, and casualties.
In addition, debris from downed drones damaged kindergartens, residential buildings, and energy facilities in other regions of Ukraine.
