European Tech Found in Russian Drones Attacking Ukraine
An international investigative team has reportedly discovered that components from a Styrian technology company are present in drones used by Russia in its war against Ukraine, despite existing sanctions intended to prevent such occurrences.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin has faced a total of 19 sanctions packages from the European Union. These measures were designed, in part, to prevent the Russian military from accessing high-tech components from Europe.
However, this appears to have happened, according to research conducted by a team including journalists from “Der Standard” and the British “Times.” The investigation focuses on so-called “Geran-2 drones,” which Ukraine was reportedly attacked with thousands of times last year. These unmanned aerial vehicles, approximately 3.5 meters in length, are produced in Russia and used to carry explosive warheads weighing up to 90 kilograms.
Components from Styrian Chip Manufacturer
Analysis of downed “Geran-2 drones” in Ukraine revealed, according to the investigative team, that parts from at least 19 European companies are integrated into their construction, including micro-chips and transistors. Technology from Styria was also identified: sensors for determining position and speed, manufactured by Ams-Osram, based in Premstätten, south of Graz. Christoph Danninger reported this information in the Ö1-Mittagsjournal on Thursday.
The Austrian company responded with a written statement, stating: “We take these cases very seriously and find them deeply concerning. Ams-Osram strictly adheres to all applicable sanctions and has ceased all direct and indirect business relationships with Russia. The components were originally delivered to customers in Hong Kong in 2019 and 2024.”
The Austrian-made components found in the Russian drones were originally produced for the civilian market. It appears Russia gained access to the technology through this indirect route.
The findings are part of a larger, cross-border investigative project involving eight newsrooms, initiated by De Tijd (Belgium) and coordinated by The Kyiv Independent and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP). The investigation highlights how European components continue to find their way into Russian weapons systems, despite sanctions.
According to a report by The Kyiv Independent, published February 18, 2026, the Geran-2 drone has become the most widely used long-range unmanned aerial vehicle for striking targets deep inside Ukraine. Ukrainian military intelligence files documenting the remnants of several Russian-produced Shaheds found in Ukraine indicate the presence of components from American, European, Japanese, and Taiwanese manufacturers, in addition to Russian and Chinese parts.
The OCCRP report, published January 14, 2026, emphasizes that the war in Ukraine – and the resulting humanitarian crisis – is being fueled by EU technology, despite tightened sanctions. Parts for the Geran-2 are reportedly still flowing into Russia with relative ease.
