Ukraine finds US, German, Swiss parts in Russian new stealth drone Okhotnik despite sanctions
A rare Russian drone valued at $15 million met its end in Donetsk Oblast, revealing Moscow's continued access to restricted Western technology.
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.
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.
Read more:
- Russia’s S-70 Okhotnik crash casts doubt on Russian claims of advanced drone capabilities
- Modern Russian Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik stealth drone shot down above Ukraine
- Ukrainian MANPADS takes down Russian Su-30SM jet over Black Sea
You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.
We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society.
A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support.
