Russian Su-34 and Su-35S fighter jets, assembled with Western microchips, continue attacking civilian targets in Ukraine. Despite sanctions, the Kremlin continues receiving Western technology through “gray” schemes. This is stated in the report, ‘PARTS OF THE PROBLEM: Tracing Western Tech in Russia’s Deadliest Jets’, which was presented by the International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR), in collaboration with the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO) and Hunterbrook Media.
The report provides detailed analysis of over 60 air attacks by Russian Su-34 and Su-35S fighters, including 10 cases in Kharkiv, Kherson, Sumy, and Chernihiv regions. These strikes killed 26 civilians and wounded 109 more. All these cases may qualify as war crimes. IPHR has documented over 24,000 attacks on Ukrainian civilians and objects since Russia launched its full-scale invasion three years ago.
NAKO identified and established the origin of 1,115 out of 1,119 electronic components in the aircraft. These include products from Texas Instruments, Analog Devices, Intel, Murata, Maxim, OnSemi, Vicor, and other global manufacturers. The main producing countries are the United States, Germany, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea. Components reach Russia through a complex network of Russian importers and foreign suppliers, including intermediaries and shell companies in China, Hong Kong, Turkey, UAE, and certain EU countries.
As noted by NAKO Executive Director Olena Tregub: “Our findings are unambiguous: Russian aircraft committing probable war crimes are assembled with Western microchips. Companies from democratic countries have a moral obligation to strengthen control over their supply chains.”
The report also outlines specific recommendations: strengthen export controls on microelectronics, introduce mandatory end-user verification, improve interstate coordination, and restrict the operations of “gray” distributors.
