The Commerce Department in the United States has issued a directive to American companies to cease shipping goods to over 600 foreign entities due to concerns that these items could be diverted to Russia for use in its invasion of Ukraine. This directive was issued after recent discoveries of American-made products in missiles and drones recovered in Ukraine, presumably left behind by Russia.
Since the beginning of the conflict, the U.S. and more than 30 other nations have implemented various sanctions to hinder Russia’s military capabilities by restricting access to Western technology. Despite these efforts, American components continue to be found in Russian weaponry on Ukrainian battlefields.
In response, Assistant Secretary Matthew Axelrod sent letters to over 20 American companies listing more than 600 foreign parties that pose a high risk of transshipments to Russia. These letters requested companies to voluntarily halt shipments to these entities in order to prevent potential use by Russia.
Senior officials from the Commerce, State, and Treasury departments have also been engaging with leaders in U.S. companies directly to discuss additional measures that can be taken to prevent their products from being utilized by Russia in any capacity. This collaborative effort aims to further impede Russia’s military actions in Ukraine by restricting the availability of American technology.