Western and Chinese Components in Russian Missiles and Iranian Drones Used Against Ukraine

Ukrainian experts have been examining various bombs, missiles, and drones that Russia has launched against Ukraine since the beginning of the large-scale military invasion. The downed drones and missiles in Ukraine are transferred to the forensic science center in Kyiv, where all their components are examined. As a result of these investigations, it has been proven that thousands of components used in 'Russian' missiles and 'Iranian' drones are produced in China and Western countries. After the onset of the war, the U.S. and its allies imposed extensive sanctions on Russia, but Moscow, with the help of 'friendly' countries, has discovered ways to circumvent these sanctions and still has access to advanced technology. Maxim Kiselyov, the new head of the forensic science center affiliated with the Ukrainian Ministry of Justice, told reporters that although Western sanctions have likely made the delivery of Western components to Russia longer and more costly, they have not been able to block this route. He added that in 750 'Shahed' drones that Russia launched at targets in Ukraine last week, over 8,000 components from 20 different countries have been identified. Mr. Kiselyov showed reporters the wreckage of a 'Shahed' drone that included parts made in Germany and Japan, as well as a Chinese engine with blades produced in the U.S. Evidence suggests that Russia first received the 'Shahed' suicide drones from Iran and then, with Tehran's assistance, established a factory in Tatarstan to produce these drones. Experts at the forensic science center in Kyiv warn that these drones are constantly evolving and being updated. Ukrainian officials say that the country's air defense has been able to neutralize over 80% of drone attacks in recent months. However, the attack on Kyiv on the first day of the new year, during which at least two Shahed drones hit buildings just meters from the Ukrainian presidential office, has heightened concerns that these drones are equipped with more advanced tools to counter electronic warfare. Experts at the forensic science center in Kyiv explain that the first 'Shahed' models used GPS technology, but now some of these drones are equipped with 4G modems with Ukrainian SIM cards and navigate using mobile phone towers in Ukraine. At the same time, some other drones are managed through navigation systems connected to Chinese satellites, making them more accurate and capable of evading Ukraine's electronic warfare systems. According to Ukrainian engineers, evidence suggests that some 'Shahed' drones may be equipped with artificial intelligence, but so far, such a model has not reached the experts at the forensic science center in Ukraine. Maxim Kiselyov, the head of this center, told reporters that such a development could prevent the electronic warfare tools that Ukraine has from detecting these drones. According to findings from the British magazine 'The Economist' from the forensic science center in Kyiv, the 'Orshanik' missile, which Vladimir Putin calls 'the new miracle in Russia's arsenal,' is 'neither new nor a miracle.' Russia attacked the city of Dnipro in Ukraine on December 1 with a new type of missile carrying six non-nuclear warheads. The remnants of this missile are now under investigation at the forensic science center affiliated with the Ukrainian Ministry of Justice. According to 'The Economist' and experts at this center, most of the components of this missile were produced in 2016 and 2017. Therefore, it appears that this missile is an updated version of the medium-range ballistic missile 'Rubezh' (NATO classification SS-X-31). Vladimir Putin has always insisted that the 'Orshanik' is a new weapon and not an upgraded Soviet-era weapon. He has repeatedly threatened Ukraine with the reuse of this missile. However, U.S. officials say that Russia likely has only a few of these missiles. According to estimates from the Ukrainian military intelligence agency, this number is at most 10 units. According to 'The Economist' and experts at the Ukrainian forensic science center, the 'Orshanik' is a propaganda weapon that 'should primarily warn the West about Russia's nuclear capabilities.' The report states that the 'Shahed' drones pose a more serious threat to Ukraine than the 'Orshanik,' especially since Russia is no longer dependent on Iranian assistance but is producing hundreds of 'Shahed' drones itself.