The US sanctioned several organizations based in Russia and China for the development and production of drones allegedly used in the war against Ukraine.

The sanctioned entities are Xiamen Limbach Aircraft Engine Co., Redlepus Vector Industry Shenzhen Co., and Russia-based limited liability company Trading House Vector, according to the Treasury Department.

The Russian Garpiya series long-range unmanned attack vehicle "has been deployed by Russia in its brutal war against Ukraine, destroying critical infrastructure and causing massive casualties," the department said in a statement.

He added that the drones were designed and developed by China-based experts and manufactured in China-based factories in cooperation with Russian defense firms before being shipped to Russia for use against Ukraine.

"While the United States has previously imposed sanctions on entities in China that provide critical data to Russia's military-industrial base, these are the first U.S. sanctions imposed on entities in China that directly develop and manufacture weapons systems. complete in partnership with Russian firms," ​​the statement said.

Bradley Smith of the Treasury Department said Russia is "increasingly" relying on the expertise of foreign professionals and imports of sophisticated technologies to support its weapons program and advance its military campaign against Ukraine.

"We will continue to disrupt the networks that enable the purchase and use of these advanced weapons from Russia," he said. /AA