South Africa Investigates How It Made a Part for Russian Drones
The manufacturer says it’s unclear how Russia obtained the equipment because it isn’t supposed to be sold for military use.
An exhibition of downed Russian UAVs, containing imported components, displayed in Kyiv.
Photographer: Kyrylo Chubotin/Nurphoto/AP Photo
South African authorities said they are investigating how electronic equipment made in the country ended up in Russian drones used to attack Ukraine.
The part in question is a laser range finder made by Lightware Optoelectronics Ltd., which is based on the outskirts of Pretoria. It can be used to measure distances and trigger detonation, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Ukraine’s special envoy for sanctions, said in a social media post.