Ukraine finds US, German, Swiss parts in Russian new stealth drone Okhotnik despite sanctions

November 8, 2024

By Ukraine

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Ukrainian intelligence has discovered Western-made components in Russia’s advanced S-70 Okhotnik stealth drone, shot down for the first time on 5 October in the Donetsk region. Despite international sanctions, the $15 million aircraft contained electronics from major US, German, and Swiss manufacturers, including Analog Devices, Texas Instruments, and Infineon Technologies.

The discovery underscores Russia’s persistent ability to acquire Western technology despite sanctions imposed after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Moscow continues to obtain sensitive military components through third-country imports and shell companies, highlighting the challenges of enforcing international export controls.

“The S-70 UAV is, among other things, a carrier of UMPB D-30 aerial bombs, which the Russians drop to destroy Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure,” Ukrainian intelligence officials stated.

The S-70 Okhotnik (“Hunter”), with its distinctive 65-foot wingspan, is one of only a handful in existence. Developed by Sukhoi over the past decade, the drone is designed to penetrate air defenses using its reduced radar cross-section design.

The Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik-B (“Hunter-V”), a Russian heavy stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) currently in development. Photo: Russia’s MoD

Footage from Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast showed the arrow-shaped drone being struck by an air-to-air missile from an unidentified aircraft. The massive drone crashed near residential buildings, initially leading witnesses to mistake it for a downed Russian plane.

While details of the interception remain unclear, analysts speculate the shooter could have been either Ukrainian or, if the drone had malfunctioned, Russian forces preventing its intact capture.

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