Russian forces are using spare parts from dishwashers and refrigerators to repair faulty military equipment in Ukraine.
“We have reports from the Ukrainians that they found Russian military equipment full of semiconductors that Russian forces took from dishwashers and refrigerators,” US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said at a congressional hearing.
Raimondo added that “this proves that the export restrictions led by the United States against Russia have deprived it of American technology,” noting that these restrictions “contributed to paralyzing Moscow’s ability to maintain its military operation.”
And the US Secretary indicated that “technology exports to Russia have fallen by 70 percent since the imposition of these export controls.”
It revealed that there are reports that Russia was forced to close two tank factories due to a lack of components.
The United States and other Western countries had restricted the export of chips and other electronic components designed for military use to Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
The export of these parts required a government license to proceed even before the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The new rules tightened those restrictions and also banned the sale of most dual-use chips, which have both military and commercial applications, to non-military users in Russia, including those working in high-tech industries.
The White House previously said the ban would cut off more than half of Russia’s high-tech imports and impede the country’s ability to diversify its economy and support its military.
Analysts confirm that most chip factories around the world use software or equipment designed in the United States, according toWashington Post“.
Previous research has shown that the Russian military has long relied on Western electronics, including drones and fighters.