Russian Military Acquiring U.S. Microchips Despite Sanctions

Investigations reveal supply chain loopholes allowing American semiconductors to power Russian weapons used in Ukraine.

Russian distributors exploit third-party countries like Hong Kong to obtain U.S.-made chips from companies including Texas Instruments and Intel.
Texas Instruments products, including flip-flop chips and power modules, are widely found in Russian drones, missiles, and communication systems.
A Bloomberg investigation uncovered that Russian distributors use APIs and VPNs to access Texas Instruments’ online store and place large orders with ease.
From January to August 2024, a major Russian distributor handled $6 million worth of Texas Instruments products, with $4 million tied to military use.
U.S. officials and chipmakers face challenges in monitoring exports and preventing unauthorized use of semiconductors in Russia's military-industrial complex.