Russia’s new drone-launched cruise missile is crammed with parts from Kyiv’s allies, Ukraine says

Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has published a breakdown of parts inside a new Russian cruise missile, and claims that many originate from countries including the US, Japan, South Korea, and potentially Australia.

This raises questions about Russia’s ongoing ability to get around sanctions imposed on it over its invasion of Ukraine.

Little is known in the West about Russia’s S8000 “Banderol” cruise missile, which Ukraine says is made by sanctioned company Kronstadt. Reports emerged in Ukrainian media in late April about its use in a bombardment of the region of Odesa, home to a key Ukrainian port.

Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov, an influential Ukrainian radiocommunications observer, was among the first to report its use, and speculated that it may be a new type of drone.

It now appears that Ukraine has obtained a version intact enough to be closely examined.

A nimble new missile

Banderol, reportedly meaning “parcel” or “package,” has a range of 310 miles and can cruise at speeds of almost 350 mph, according to Ukraine’s defense intelligence agency, also known as the GUR.

GUR said it’s launched from an Orion drone, and is also being prepped for deployment from a Mi-28N helicopter.

One unique feature, the GUR said, is “its ability to execute tighter turns than other standard Russian cruise missiles” such as the KH-101 or the 3M-14 Kalibr, while still maintaining an effective cruise missile flight trajectory.

It carries a warhead of up to 150kg, per GUR.

Batteries, microchips, and telemetry

Much of its capabilities can be traced back to parts sourced from countries allied with Ukraine, Ukrainian intelligence said.

In a detailed breakdown of components, GUR said it identified batteries from a Japanese company just weeks after Japan expanded export controls to stop the country’s lithium-ion batteries from reaching Russia.

It also said it found a servo — an electronic device that controls a motor — from a South Korean company in the missile.

Seoul added dozens of items to its export controls list, including dual-use items, in December, although it is unclear if this covers servo motors.

It’s also unclear if these parts were already in Russian possession before the expanded export controls were put in place.

In addition, GUR said that up to 20 microchips originating from the US, Switzerland, Japan, and South Korea were found inside.

A telemetry module — or sensor and transmission device — resembling one made in Australia was also found, although the GUR said it could be a Chinese copy.

The companies named did not immediately respond to Business Insider requests for comment, sent outside working hours.

Countries like the US and Australia have sent Ukraine significant amounts of humanitarian or military aid, and have implemented extensive sanctions and export controls against Russia.

However, reports have found that sanctioned items have made their way into the Russian military ecosystem via third parties.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, some parts of the missile, including chips and a jet engine, also appeared to have come from Chinese sources.

Beijing is ostensibly neutral, but has been accused by the US of covertly supplying Russia with extensive dual-use parts and even weaponry.

Defence Intelligence of Ukraine called on governments and manufacturers in countries allied to Ukraine to tighten their diligence.

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