Update from 1:32 p.m.. Aug 6, 2025: Additional context has been added to the news piece.

Aug 5 — Ukraine established that electronic components produced by Indian companies were in Russian attack drones, including Shahed type, said Andrii Yermak, the head of the Presidential Office, referring to Hindustan Times.

“It is necessary to block opportunities for Russians to receive components from other countries and stop the murders of Ukrainians,” said Yermak.

In July, Russian troops launched 103 air attacks on Kharkiv, 81 of which were conducted by Shahed-type attack drones, injuring 164 people, including 20 children.

The Hindustan Times reports that Vishay Intertechnology and Aura Semiconductor’s electronic components are assembled or manufactured in India. Russia uses them in the production of Shahed 136 attack drones.

Ajay Srivastava, founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), said to The Hindustan Times that the components may have been diverted by foreign buyers to Iran through other countries, to be then assembled in Shaheds. 

“India strictly prohibits the export of dual-use items to sanctioned destinations. However, once such goods are exported to legitimate third countries, tracing their end use becomes nearly impossible – a challenge every open economy faces,” Srivastava said.

Ukrainian Intelligence first discovered an Indian-made component in Russian weapons in April. They noted that Russia almost got rid of dependence on American components.

Earlier, Donald Trump, the American president, announced 25% tariffs on imported goods from India in his social network Truth Social because India is one of the largest importers of Russian oil.

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