Russia imports Irish components for 'kamikaze drones' used in Ukraine

Russia has been importing electronic components from Ireland to go towards the building of "kamikaze drones" used against civilian targets in Ukraine, an Irish Times investigation has found.

In a 15-month period, beginning in January 2024, just under 10 tonnes of components from Irish companies reached Russia, according to The Irish Times.

This has taken place despite an EU ban on such imports to Russia following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Irish companies were not directly responsible for the shipments, with wholesale and export companies responsible, particularly from China.

"The material included 1.3 tonnes of antennas originally made by the Irish company Taoglas and imported by Russia in 2024," The Irish Times investigation reads.

"These antennas weigh as little as 9g, meaning up to 144,000 units were shipped in a single year. That is enough to make 36,000 Geran-2 kamikaze drones, a weapon that has become a central part of Russia’s strategy to wear down Ukraine’s will to fight by attacking civilian targets."

Taoglas is is headquartered in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. 

Chips made at the company have been found in the guidance systems of Geran-2 drones, along with many other components from EU companies, according to unpublished analysis by Ukrainian intelligence.

Meanwhile, sensors manufactured by TE Connectivity, another Irish-headquartered company, have also been found in the drones.

“We do not, and will not, sell to any entity identified as facilitating the diversion of technology to Russia,” Taoglas said in a detailed statement.

TE Connectivity, headquarterd in Co Galway, said it “is firmly committed to its policy of no direct or indirect shipments of its products to Russia or to any sanctioned country and will continue to communicate this policy with distribution partners, and expect them to comply”.

You can read the full investigation here.