Russian suspected of sending drone parts to Russia, arrested in Germany

Reuters reports that a German-Russian national is under arrest on suspicion of exporting components used by Russia in the production of military hardware.

"The defendant, named only as Waldemar W, is accused of violating sanctions imposed in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year," the German prosecutor said in a statement.

It is noted that between January 2020 and March 2023, the entrepreneur, who holds German and Russian citizenship, exported electronic components 26 times to a Russian company that manufactures military equipment, including the Orlan-10 reconnaissance drone.

The statement clarifies that the Prosecutor General intervened "due to the particular importance of the case". In this way, the German authorities are stepping up repression of those suspected of circumventing sanctions.

Waldemar W. is currently in custody - the warrant for his arrest was issued by the Federal Court.

In addition, DW adds that the suspect used third countries, including the UAE and Lithuania, to cover his tracks. The total amount of the supply is estimated at EUR 750,000.

At the end of last year, the British think tank Royal United Services Institute accused Saarbrücken-based Weicom Components of supplying electronics for Russian drones. In their report, the analysts called the Orlan drone the "most successful" Russian reconnaissance drone, which is considered "essential to Russia's combat capability".

• On August 17, the head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, said that components from Western and Asian countries had been found in Russian Ka-52 helicopters: chips and receivers were among the foreign components.

• In addition, the media reported that Russian air carriers have received aircraft parts worth at least $1.2 billion since May last year, despite Western sanctions.

• Also, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed disappointment with the insufficient effect of Western economic sanctions against Russia.