Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (HUR) said Wednesday, Jan. 14, it has identified dozens of foreign-made industrial machines still being used by Russia’s defense industry, highlighting ongoing sanctions circumvention.
HUR stated that it has published data on 50 pieces of foreign technological equipment operating at Russian military-industrial enterprises on the War&Sanctions portal’s “Tools of War” section.
According to the agency, the disclosed equipment includes Czech-made waterjet cutting systems used by Russian companies involved in producing naval and coastal radar stations, hardware for strategic missile forces and security systems for military facilities.
The list also features a US-made JVM-360LS CNC milling machine by JET Tools, which Ukrainian intelligence says is used by a manufacturer producing components for Russia’s Kh-101 cruise missiles, as well as a Chinese TAYU TY-200S injection molding machine operated by a Russian producer of guidance systems, sights and all-weather reconnaissance complexes.
Ukraine’s intelligence agency said Russian defense firms frequently obtain foreign equipment through leasing schemes rather than direct purchases, a practice that can obscure the end user and help bypass international sanctions.
To prevent their technologies from fueling the war, global equipment manufacturers should introduce continuous tracking and stricter controls over where their machines are ultimately used, the agency added.
The War&Sanctions “Tools of War” database currently contains information on 1,454 pieces of foreign equipment used by 181 Russian defense enterprises, with efforts to identify additional items ongoing, the intelligence agency said.
Russia’s sanction-evasion efforts
In recent months, Ukrainian intelligence released technical profiles and supplier lists for missiles, cruise systems and drone families – steps Kyiv says are crucial for helping partners close loopholes and stop the flow of dual-use goods.
The War&Sanctions platform, created and maintained by HUR, documents supply chains, tracks sanctioned entities, and lists foreign components found in Russian weapons.
The War & Sanctions portal currently contains:
- more than 5,200 foreign-made components identified in 181 types of Russian weapons
- 12 interactive diagrams of Russian and Iranian weapon systems
- over 280 companies involved in their production
“Weapons Russia is using against Ukraine today may be used tomorrow against other states,” HUR warned, calling for “synchronized action, stronger sanctions, and sustained support for Ukraine to stop the aggressor.”
That warning is underscored by new intelligence on Russia’s ongoing weapons development.
HUR reveals new Geran-2 drone modification
According to a statement released by HUR on Monday, Russia has developed a new modification of the Shahed-type “Geran-2” drone capable of carrying both a man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) and a conventional warhead at the same time.
HUR disclosed an interactive breakdown of the Geran-2 “E” series, showing it equipped with a Russian Verba MANPADS alongside a primary explosive payload.
According to HUR, the modification reflects Russia’s efforts to adapt its drones in response to the effective work of Ukraine’s Air Force and army aviation in intercepting unmanned aerial vehicles.
Ukrainian intelligence previously reported the use of Geran-2 drones armed with Soviet-era R-60 air-to-air missiles. The newly disclosed version replaces that missile with a Verba MANPADS.