Russian Drone Program Collaborates with Iran, Imports Western Tech Despite Sanctions

Among those designated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for facilitating Russia’s war effort and evading and circumventing sanctions on the two-year anniversary, was a network of entities and individuals involved in the joint procurement and production of UAVs by Russia and Iran at the Alabuga Special Economic Zone (SEZ).  

According to the Treasury, Russia and Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics have cooperated to finance and produce Iranian-designed one-way attack UAVs, also known as kamikaze drones, at a newly established facility in Russia.

In this Snapshot, we analyze how Russia's drone program acquires restricted Western goods, including electronics made in America and Europe, through its procurement network.