US unveils sanctions tied to Russian drone attacks in Ukraine

The Treasury Department announced Thursday it was imposing sanctions for the first time on Chinese entities directly developing and producing drones that Russia is using in Ukraine.

“Russia increasingly relies on the expertise of foreign professionals and the import of sophisticated technologies to sustain its weapons program and advance its military campaign against Ukraine,” said Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith. “We will continue to disrupt the networks that enable Russia’s acquisition and use of these advanced weapons.”

The sanctions target entities involved with the Garpiya series of long-range attack unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). The drones are produced at factories based in China for Russian defense firms before being transferred for use in Ukraine, Treasury said.

Treasury has previously sanctioned Chinese entities that provided inputs for Russia's military-industrial base, but these are the first santions on Chinese entities "directly developing and producing complete weapons systems in partnership with Russian firms."

The entitities targeted Xiamen Limbach Aircraft Engine Co., Ltd., which Treasury said produces an engine for the Garpiya drone.

Treasury also says Redlepus Vector Industry Shenzhen Co Ltd (Redlepus), also operating out of China, worked in collaboration with a previously sanctioned Russian defense firm TSK Vektor OOO (TSK Vektor) that had served as an intermediary for producing the drones.

A Russian national named Artem Mikhailovich Yamshchikov was also named. Treasury says Yamshikov has directed procurement activities on behalf of TSK Vektor, including the procurement of sensitive UAV components for the Garpiya series one-way attack UAV program.

Pentagon spokesperson Matthew Miller also addressed the situation in a post on the social platform X on Thursday.

"The United States is sanctioning 1 individual and 3 entities based in the PRC and Russia for the development and production of drones used in Russia’s war against Ukraine. We will continue to impose costs on those who support Russia’s acquisition of advanced weapons technology," Miller said.