American Components Uncovered in Russian Weaponry on Ukrainian Battlefields: Commerce Department Issues Directive to Cease Shipping Goods to Foreign Entities

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the United States and over 30 other nations have implemented various sanctions to hinder Russia’s military capabilities by restricting access to Western technology. Despite these efforts, American components continue to be found in Russian weaponry on Ukrainian battlefields.

In response to this, the Commerce Department has issued a directive urging American companies to cease shipping goods to more than 600 foreign entities out of concerns that the items could be diverted to Russia for use in its invasion of Ukraine. This directive was based on recent discoveries of American-made products in missiles and drones recovered in Ukraine, presumably left behind by Russia.

Assistant Secretary Matthew Axelrod mentioned during the department’s annual export control conference that letters were sent to over 20 American companies listing more than 600 foreign parties that pose a high risk of transshipments to Russia. In these letters, companies were requested to voluntarily halt shipments to these entities to prevent potential use by Russia.

Senior officials from the Commerce, State, and Treasury departments have also been engaging with leaders in U.S. companies directly to discuss additional measures that can be taken to prevent their products from being utilized by Russia in any capacity. This collaborative effort aims to further impede Russia’s military actions in Ukraine by restricting the availability of American technology.