Russia has used the 'Shahed' in Africa for the first time
This was stated by Vladislav Vlasyuk, the President’s Representative on Sanctions Policy.
He noted that this is the first confirmed instance of a drone of this type being used in the Sahel region. The downed drone is a new variant of the ‘KK’ series, equipped with an air-burst warhead function.
“Russia is increasingly transferring its military technologies and instruments of war to other regions – in particular to Africa. And it is doing so largely through dual-use components, which continue to enter Russian production unhindered,” Vlasyuk remarked.
Civilian electronics (microchips, transistors, diodes and relays) were found in the drone shot down in Mali, which can be freely purchased on the open market. Specifically, these include components from STMicroelectronics, as well as Chinese manufacturers:
- Mornsun;
- Wayon Electronics;
- GigaDevice;
- Shenzhen Codaca Electronic;
- NCR Industrial.
This same standard electronic configuration is also found in the drones that Russia is using in the war against Ukraine. The situation in Mali demonstrates how quickly civilian technologies can become a tool for exporting war.
Vlasyuk noted that until the supply of such components to Russia is strictly controlled, Russian drone production will continue to scale up alongside the geographical scope of their deployment.
As a reminder, it was previously reported that Russia is losing the war against Ukraine on three fronts.
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