Themes by tag: weapon
On July 21, the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO) will host a Defence Talks event titled “Follow the address”: Shared offices, shell companies, and microelectronics supply chains to russia.
During the event, NAKO analysts will present a large-scale study that examined 180,000 customs declarations and identified nearly 1,800 companies supplying russia’s defense industry with technology in circumvention of sanctions.
Together with leading experts, military specialists, and investigative journalists, participants will examine how sanctions policy is evolving and where new loopholes are emerging; what role China plays in sustaining russia’s war machine; and how investigative journalism and analytical research help disrupt supply chains to russia’s military-industrial complex.
Participants:
– Bohdan Chumak, Representative of the Sanctions Policy Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine;
– Dmytro Shulha, Director of the Europe and the World Programme, International Renaissance Foundation;
– Viktoriia Vyshnivska, Senior Researcher, NAKO;
– Olena Davlikanova, Senior Analyst at the Sahaidachnyi Security Center, editor of NAKO’s Russia’s War Network study;
– Yurii Poita, Senior Associate Analyst, Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS) (online);
– Oleksandr Moiseienko, Deputy Editor-in-Chief at United24 Media, investigative journalist.
Venue: For security reasons, the location will be disclosed only to registered participants.
Simultaneous interpretation: Ukrainian/English.
Journalists are required to register.
Background: NAKO (Independent Anti-Corruption Commission) is a civil society organization working to reduce opportunities for corruption in Ukraine’s defense sector through in-depth research, effective advocacy, and public awareness. Since the start of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, NAKO has been monitoring sanctions enforcement and advocating for stronger restrictions on russia’s defense industry. As part of this work, it studies Western-made microelectronics found in various types of russian weapons, including Shahed drones, missiles, and aircraft.
Defence Talks is NAKO’s discussion platform bringing together Ukrainian officials, experts, diplomats, and journalists to identify solutions in the fields of security and defense.
The Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO) has analyzed the components of the russian Oreshnik ballistic missile. According to NAKO Senior Researcher Viktoriia Vyshnivska, the weapon promoted by the Kremlin as being “based on advanced technologies” is, in reality, assembled from outdated components.
NAKO’s analysis is based on a detailed examination and verification of debris from the missile’s instrument compartment collected by Ukrainian military experts after two confirmed strikes:
- Dnipro (November 21, 2024) — the first combat use of the missile against the Pivdenmash industrial complex.
- Lviv (January 8, 2026) — a strike on critical infrastructure. It was there that surviving missile subsystems (including navigation units and engine components) were recovered and sent for detailed analysis.
Unlike other russian cruise missiles and drones, which rely heavily on modern Western microchips or Chinese semiconductors, the Oreshnik contains an unusually high proportion of domestically manufactured components.
However, this “import substitution” was achieved by relying on outdated technologies:
- Around 470 identified microcomponents are based on low- and medium-tech semiconductors manufactured using production processes that are decades old.
- Most recovered components were manufactured between 2014 and 2018. The missile is essentially an evolutionary development of older Soviet and russian systems such as the Rubezh, Topol-M, and Yars.
- Components for the missile were supplied by at least 25 companies from russia and Belarus, including the Integral holding company and the Mikron, Angstrem, and Optron plants.
Although this architecture somewhat reduces russia’s dependence on Western supply chains, it does not demonstrate full technological self-sufficiency. Instead, it highlights the blurred boundary between civilian and military microelectronics in russia.
A significant number of companies whose chips were found in the missile have yet to face comprehensive international sanctions. While Ukraine has independently imposed sanctions on 93% of the identified companies involved in manufacturing the Oreshnik, only 62% are currently subject to international sanctions.
NAKO Senior Researcher Viktoriia Vyshnivska stresses that international sanctions must continue evolving and become more comprehensive in order to effectively disrupt russian weapons production.
Background: The Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO) is a Ukrainian civil society organization that works to reduce opportunities for corruption in the country’s defense sector through research, advocacy, and public awareness. Following russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, NAKO launched a project focused on monitoring and strengthening sanctions against russia’s defense industry.
Since the start of the full-scale war, russian aviation has dropped over 51,000 guided bombs on Ukraine – 40,000 of them in 2024 alone, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
These bombs are primarily modernized Soviet munitions weighing 500 to 3,000 kg, equipped with a unified gliding and correction module (UMPK kit). This module includes folding wings that extend range and GPS navigation for accuracy.
In its new study, NAKO examined the remnants of UMPC kits. The researchers found that 71% of the microelectronics in UMPK kits are from Western-oriented manufacturers. Of the 22 manufacturers identified, 10 are in the U.S., six are in China, four are in Switzerland, and two are in Ireland and Japan.
On March 11 in Kyiv, during the presentation of the thematic report, we will discuss how Western components end up in russian weapons. Can this supply chain be disrupted? What are our options for countering guided bombs?
Participants:
– Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Presidential Advisor on Sanctions Policy
– Heorhii Tykhyi, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
– Viktoriia Vyshnivska, Senior Researcher, Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO)
– Illia Kukharenko, Advisor on EW/ELINT, Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine
Accreditation required. Deadline: March 10, 5:00 PM
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, NAKO researchers have analyzed over 2,500 components from 30 russian weapons, including fighter jets, Ka-52 “Alligator” helicopters, Kalibr missiles, Iranian drones, and North Korean KN-23/24 missiles.
Background information: The Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO) is a civil society organization focused on reducing corruption risks in Ukraine’s defense sector through research, advocacy, and public awareness. Since the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion, NAKO has launched a project to monitor and strengthen sanctions against russia’s defense industry.
Oleksandr Miroshnikov, a 62-year-old master jeweler, has spent more than half his life crafting intricate designs. Recognized as an Honored Master of Folk Art of Ukraine and a full recipient of the prestigious Fabergé Memorial Foundation awards, Miroshnikov has taken on a unique challenge since the start of russia’s full-scale invasion—creating jewelry from titanium salvaged from russian missile wreckage.
The titanium, extracted from downed Kalibr and Kh-101 missiles provided by Ukrainian forces, is far more challenging to work with than gold or platinum, Miroshnikov says, making each piece truly one-of-a-kind.
His creations have found homes in museums and private collections across Ukraine, Europe, the United States, and the UAE, and they’re frequently featured at exhibitions. Currently, he is finishing a piece titled “Fleur de Fougère” (Fern Flower).
Those interested in connecting with Oleksandr can meet him in Mykolaiv or the Lviv region, either in person or online, by prior arrangement.
On December 13 the Media Center Ukraine will host the presentation of the art and historical project “Flowers of Victory”. The centerpiece of the project is a sculpture crafted from the remnants of an enemy infantry fighting vehicle destroyed in the Kyiv oblast, and ammunition fragments left behind by russian shelling of civilian targets. The sculpture depicts sunflowers growing through enemy equipment, symbolizing Ukraine’s triumph over the aggressor.
Participants:
– Kostiantyn Cherniavskyi, chairman of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine, Honored Artist of Ukraine;
– Bohdan Mazur, author of the sculptural composition, winner of the Taras Shevchenko National Prize of Ukraine, member of the National Union of Artists of Ukraine;
– Mamuka Mamulashvili, soldier, founder and commander of the Georgian National Legion;
– Oleksandr Kuklyshyn, project manager and head of the NGO “Green Stripe”.
During the event, journalists will have an opportunity to see metal fragments from russian missiles left after the attack on the Ohmatdyt National Children’s Hospital.
An analysis of a North Korean KN-23/24 missile, downed by Ukrainian forces in the Poltava region in September, reveals that it contains microelectronics manufactured by companies from the U.S., Switzerland, and the U.K. The Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO), which examined the missile’s wreckage, found that most of the components were produced by American firms, with a total of seven manufacturers identified. Some parts were made as recently as 2021, 2022, and 2023.
On October 17 in Kyiv, NAKO will present a detailed analysis, shedding light on how Western-made components ended up in North Korean weaponry. The briefing will explore the origins of these components and address the challenges in regulating the flow of microelectronics across domestic and international markets.
Participants:
- Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Ukraine’s Presidential Commissioner for Sanctions Policy;
- Agiya Zagrebelska, Director for Partnership Development, Economic Security Council of Ukraine (ESCU);
- Olena Tregub, Executive Director of the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO);
- Victoria Vyshnivska, Senior Researcher at the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO).
Journalists wishing to attend the event must be accredited by October 16 at 5:00 p.m.
Background: Since the start of russia’s all-out invasion, NAKO experts have examined over 2,500 components from 30 pieces of russian military equipment, including fighter jets, a Ka-52 “Alligator” attack helicopter, Kalibr missiles, and Iranian drones. The investigation found that 2,000 of these parts came from 22 countries, predominantly Western, with 64% sourced from U.S.-based companies.
ARTHELPS is a non-profit organization based in Germany. As part of its RESTRUMENTS campaign, musical instruments were made out of used Russian weapons during a kid’s workshop held in Kyiv (September 2023). These include turning repurposed weaponry scrap into a violin and a cello, as well as a guitar with a body fashioned from a fuel canister used to refuel Russian tanks. In December 2023, a music video was released for a composition by violinist Yurii Revych, staging children playing the built instruments.
ARTHELPS has also launched a fundraising campaign for a new Creative Hub in Ukraine. Anyone can buy posters featuring musical instruments.
Journalists can have an opportunity to talk to the founders of the organization (in German or English) and the project’s communication manager, as well as see the instruments made within the project (offline in Germany or online).
For reference: ARTHELPS is a non-profit organization of creative people dedicated to helping those in need through art. The team has worked in Germany and Afghanistan, India, Iraq, South Africa, Syria, and Brazil, among others. In 2016, they worked on a project with children in eastern Ukraine.
Kyiv will host an exhibition of art objects called “Weapon Transformation” during the “Stadium of Culture” charity festival on July 8-9
The Weapon Transformation project is an initiative that has involved more than 80 artists from all over Ukraine. Its goal is to transform spent weapons, including tubes and shell casings, into art objects. One of the project’s main priorities is to draw attention to the war in Ukraine and raise funds to support the army and rebuild the country. Over the six months since the project started, the sale of art objects has already raised more than 400 thousand UAH for the army’s needs.
Journalists will have the opportunity to talk to the artists.
Despite the war and russia’s shelling, the Museum of Strategic Missile Forces remains open in Pervomaisk, Mykolaiv oblast, which has no analogues in Europe. The museum was created at the site of the combat position of the rocket regiment of the 46th Rocket Division of the Strategic Rocket Forces. The underground command post and one of the missile shafts still remain intact. In total, the museum collected almost 24,000 exhibits. In particular, the museum exhibits missiles with which russia is currently destroying Ukrainian territory.
Residents of Lviv can get their hands on the anti-tank weapons that the Ukrainian military uses to counter the aggressor. “Weapons of Victory” educational and interactive exhibition was opened in LЕM Station space. Visitors can hold NLAW, Javelin and about 30 more samples of used anti-tank weapons in their hands. There are screens that demonstrate the exhibits in use at the front. In addition, visitors can learn how to use various types of weapons on an interactive VR simulator.
The exhibition will last until December 30. At the closing, a charity auction will be held to sell used trophy weapons, items of military equipment and other unique items from the front line. The funds collected at the exhibition are planned to be used for the purchase of a training facility with augmented reality technology to hone the skills of using weapons.
