90% of Russian Missiles and Drones Contain Japanese Components, Ukraine Reports

Around 90% of Russian cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and drones contain Japanese components, according to Ukrainian Presidential Commissioner for Sanctions Vladyslav Vlasiuk, as reported by 47News, citing Kyodo News.

Vlasiuk provided journalists with the names of 13 Japanese companies whose products were found in Russian weapons. Six of these companies did not respond to inquiries, five could not confirm usage, one stated its subsidiary's products were «likely» used, and another said parts were from other manufacturers.

Internal Ukrainian government documents show the Russian Kh-101 cruise missile, which has over 100 foreign-made components, uses electronic parts from major Japanese semiconductor and electronics manufacturers. Japanese-made optoisolators have been identified in Russian cruise missiles, alongside components from the US, Switzerland, Germany, the UK, China, Taiwan, and South Korea. Russian drones striking Ukrainian cities in late April 2026 also carried 2026-made components from six countries, including Japan.

Vlasiuk noted that most components are electronic parts sold as civilian products in Japan, suspected of being exported via third countries to bypass controls and then used for military purposes. He called for strengthened Japanese export controls on dual-use goods. This aligns with earlier findings in April 2026 by Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, which identified 66 units of foreign technological equipment, including from Japanese makers, in Russian missile factories, enabling continued weapons production despite sanctions.