German-Made Electronic Components Persist in Russian Shahed Drones Despite EU Sanctions

German Components Identified in Russian Drone Fleet

Recent investigations have confirmed the continued presence of electronic components manufactured in Germany within Russian Shahed drones, designated as 'Geran' by Russia, which are actively deployed in attacks against Ukraine. This finding comes despite comprehensive sanctions imposed by the European Union aimed at restricting Russia's access to such dual-use technologies. The issue resurfaced prominently in January 2026 during the analysis of a new Russian jet-powered drone, the Geran-5.

Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR), as cited by Deutsche Welle, has documented a total of 137 German-made components in various Russian military equipment. More than half of these components were discovered in drones, with others found in missiles, radar systems, military vehicles, and helicopters. The most frequently identified German components are transistors, with approximately 50 different types recorded. Other parts include pumps, inductors, generators, capacitors, transformers, and batteries.

Key Manufacturers and Component Types

Several German companies have been linked to the components found. Bavarian semiconductor company Infineon Technologies accounts for 58 of the 137 documented German-made components, predominantly transistors used in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Other identified manufacturers include EPCOS AG (now TDK Electronics), Würth Elektronik, and Pierburg, a subsidiary of Rheinmetall, whose pumps were found in the Geran-2 drone. Additionally, Bosch components, such as a push-button switch and a fuel pump, were identified in certain UAV models.

Ukrainian intelligence estimates that each Geran-series drone contains between eight and twelve German-made transistors in its onboard control system. A HUR representative noted that Russian manufacturers do not remove original markings from these components, suggesting a systematic and large-scale procurement process.

Sanctions Evasion and Corporate Responses

The European Union has implemented extensive sanctions packages, including measures targeting sensitive military technology and components crucial for drone production. However, the continued presence of these components indicates persistent challenges in enforcing these restrictions. Ukrainian intelligence suggests that many German-made transistors are purchased directly in Germany through intermediary companies designed to obscure supply chains. These components are then routed to Russia either through third countries or via smuggling channels.

German sanctions expert Professor Viktor Winkler has indicated that since 2022, deliveries increasingly bypass third countries and involve direct criminal intermediaries operating inside Germany. Companies like Infineon Technologies have stated that they comply with international sanctions, do not trade with Russia, and liquidated their Russian subsidiary immediately after the full-scale invasion. They acknowledge, however, the difficulty in fully controlling the resale of their products, given that Infineon alone produces approximately 30 billion chips per year.

German authorities have also taken legal action. Prosecutors have filed charges against individuals for illegally delivering electronic parts for drones to Russia, circumventing sanctions. One notable case involves a German-Russian dual citizen, identified as Waldemar W., accused of exporting components for Orlan-10 drones via third countries like Lithuania and the United Arab Emirates. Another German company, Goettle Advanced Products GmbH & Co. KG, is reportedly under investigation for allegedly supplying materials for Shahed drones.

Ongoing Challenge for Enforcement

The ongoing discovery of German-made components in Russian military hardware underscores the complex nature of global supply chains and the persistent efforts by Russia to circumvent international sanctions. Despite the EU's efforts to persuade other countries to prevent the re-export of critical products and to expand its list of high-priority items, the challenge of preventing Western technology from reaching Russian military applications remains significant.