Zelensky imposes new sanctions against developers of Russian AI drones
17 August 11:17
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed Decree No. 599/2025, which enacted the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of August 16 on the application of personal special economic and other restrictive measures.
This is reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to Decree No. 599/2025 of the head of the Ukrainian state and a statement to journalists by the Presidential Commissioner for Sanctions Policy Vladyslav Vlasiuk.
Russia is actively developing drone technology, relying on autonomy, accuracy, and resistance to electronic warfare.
This requires a modern electronic base and large computing resources. Suppliers and developers of these technologies are included in the sanctions package.
This is another sanctions package aimed at companies and organizations that are directly involved in the development of Russian unmanned technologies using artificial intelligence.
The list includes:
- Russian companies Progmatik and Smart Birds. The former produces the Microb 10 drone, a small-sized FPV kamikaze with an electronic autopilot and automatic target acquisition system. The latter produces the Soroka UAV with a payload of up to 3.5 kg, equipped with an optical target acquisition system, and capable of bypassing radio shadow zones and electronic warfare interference.
- The Chinese companies are Dongguan Standard Trading Co., Zhejiang Lianxing Machinery Co., Guangzhou Benquan Import & Export, Shenzhen Sky Bow Navigation Technology, Harbin Bin-Au Technology Development, Topscom Precision Industry. They supply components for Shaheeds and other drones: motors, cameras, microcircuits, transistors, resistors, resonators, navigation receivers and routers.
- The Russian Center for Artificial Intelligence Technologies “Neuralab“, which develops and trains AI models for drones. Their work allows drones to independently navigate, recognize and track targets, and process sensor data. This requires significant computing resources provided by the members of the CTSI Neuralab.
- TheCenter for Unmanned Systems and Technologies (CUST) is a structure created in Russia to develop innovations in the field of unmanned systems.
“Sanctions against these companies and organizations are of strategic importance, as they are aimed at limiting key chains in the development of Russian attack drones with AI elements that can cause significant losses on the battlefield,” Vlasiuk said.
