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Ukraine invasion: Crucial role of tech companies highlighted after Russian 'act of aggression'
Photo: Canva
Timeline
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Why can’t the West stop supplying technology for Russian weapons?
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Serbian companies export sanctioned dual-use technology to Russia, new investigation shows; incl. cos. comments
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Opinion: How to exploit Russia’s addiction to Western technology
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Netherlands: Court convicts Russian businessman to 18 months in jail for exporting dual-use components to Russian defence industry despite sanctions
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French court asks US authorities to guarantee adequate treatment of Greek businessman to be extradited on charges of smuggling sensitive tech. to Russian military
A French court requested further guarantees from the United States authorities before extraditing a Greek businessman wanted by the US for alleged involvement in smuggling sensitive technologies to the Russian military
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Russia circumvents Western sanctions for production of military technology by importing equipment through third countries, new investigation shows
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Ukraine: Security forces arrest CEO of plant that allegedly supplied sanctioned fittings for construction of military bases in Russia
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Russia: Mercenary group Wagner buys satellites for intelligence activities from Chinese co., new investigation shows
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Managing risks created by Russia's invasion of Ukraine: Enhanced due diligence and advanced know-your-customer policies
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Russian manufacturers allegedly use machinery from US-based co. in attacks on Ukraine; incl. co. comment
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US imposes sanctions on cos. for aiding procurement of sensitive parts used in Iranian drones
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Swedish authorities ban Ericsson from supplying equipment to Russia
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Iranian drones used by Russia in attacks on Ukraine contain more than 50 electrical Western components imported via third countries, new report shows; incl. cos. comments
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Finland: Largest mobile carriers suspend Xiaomi sales over continued business in Russia
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Ukraine: Govt. designates tech cos. Spinner & DMG Mori as intl. war sponsors over continued deliveries to Russia despite sanctions
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Finland: CEO of 2 companies arrested on charges of violating sanctions by supplying foreign electronic products to Russia
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Netherlands: Defence Ministry employee & local company owner arrested on suspicion of circumventing sanctions by selling airplane parts to Russia
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Russia: Authorities warn of potential WhatsApp ban if it spreads forbidden information via "unfriendly channels"
If messenger continues to spread 'prohibited information' it may face restrictions, says Roskomnadzor
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Russia: Intermediary countries & cos. help import US-made advanced electronic components used in weapon production exposing loopholes in Western sanctions regime
Putin’s weaponry runs on advanced electronic components obtained from a hidden international market.
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SAP plans to discontinue support for Russian & Belarusian customers at end of year after maintenance contracts expire
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Russia: Two-thirds of foreign components in drones used in attacks on Ukraine originate from US, new research shows revealing gaps in sanctions regime
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Semiconductor firms under investor scrutiny for alleged links to violations of international law
Investors are increasing their engagement with semiconductor companies due to evidence that Western-made microelectronics are being used in Russian and Iranian weapon systems.
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Germany: Director of 2 companies arrested on charges of violating country’s law by exporting components to Russian co. involved in production of military equipment
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Germany: Businessman arrested on suspicion of exporting equipment for sniper rifles production to Russia in 2015 despite imposed sanctions
A German businessman has been arrested over suspicions that he exported equipment to Russia that were used to produce sniper rifles.
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Russia’s tech companies face complicity risks over continued operations in aggressor state
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US-made dual-use microchips continue to be imported to Russia for military application despite export controls & sanctions, customs data shows; incl. cos. comments
In spite of sanctions, microchips from U.S. companies Texas Instruments and Analog Devices continue to be imported into Russia, where they have military applications. These violations are hiding in plain sight, in registered customs data.
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US-based Haas Automation allegedly still indirectly supplies Russian arms industry with technology; incl. co. comments
American machine tools giant Haas Automation faced allegations in March it sold technology to the Russian arms industry via a former distributor. Haas denied the story and said it halted sales when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. But research shows Haas may still be supplying the Russian arms industry indirectly.
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UK manufacturers continue to supply Russia with key industrial equipment despite sanctions, trade data shows; incl. cos. comments
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Chinese companies allegedly ship dual-use equipment to Russia exposing loopholes in Western sanctions
Shipments of military-capable hardware expose a China-sized loophole in Western sanctions
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Parts made by U.S. companies allegedly used to build Russian cruise missiles; incl. cos. comments
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Ireland investigates reports that Irish component was found in Shahed drone Russia used in recent attack on Ukraine
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Russia: Majority of Western firms with local units continue operating & paying billions in taxes, indirectly funding war in Ukraine; new research shows
A study shows that only 17% of Western firms with local Russian units prior to the invasion of Ukraine have exited Russia. Those that remain are paying Moscow billions in taxes, indirectly bankrolling the Ukraine war.
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New York Times exposes Russia's surveillance supply chain expansion & raises global human rights concerns
Amid the Ukrainian conflict, Russia is employing an expanding arsenal of surveillance technologies to suppress dissent within its borders, while nurturing a tech contractor industry that facilitates digital surveillance. Among the companies offering these technologies are Citadel, MFI Soft, Vas Experts, and Protei, all of which are raising global human rights concerns due to leaked files detailing their attempts to sell these tools abroad.
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U.S. tech firm's top manager privately sells high-tech to Russia, shows Reuters investigation; incl. co. comments
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Kyrgyz & Kazakh cos. export sanctioned dual-use goods to Russian firms linked to Kremlin war machine amid Western efforts to halt tech flow through Central Asia, new investigation shows
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Russia: General Electric stopped service of its gas turbines on Russian thermal power plants after extended US sanctions came into effect
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Japan-made semiconductors skirt sanctions to enter Russia through third countries, says new investigation
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Ukraine: Missiles used in Russia's recent attack that killed 11 civilians contain over 50 foreign-made components, President Zelensky says
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Acer ships computer hardware to Russia after saying it would suspend business, new investigation shows; incl. co. comment
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Russia: Mondi scraps deal to sell largest plant to local company due to delay in govt.'s approval, reaffirms its commitment to divest in future
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Russia reimports arms parts from Myanmar & India allegedly to improve weapons to be used in Ukraine
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Russia: Rockwool’s distributor allegedly supplies materials used in Russian frigates that carry hypersonic missiles; incl. co. comments
An official partner and distributor of Rockwool supplied materials to the Russian Navy for use in the construction of three advanced frigates. Still, the Danish stone wool giant vehemently denies having any customer relationship with Russia’s military.
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Kazakhstan becomes pathway for supply of Russia’s defence sector with drones & microelectronics despite Western sanctions, new investigation shows
Western sanctions are meant to prevent Russia from supplying its military from abroad, but sensitive electronics are still getting through. Reporters traced several of these supply chains through Kazakhstan — and found that they run through companies newly established by Russians.
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Western govts. urge tech industry leaders to take steps to help shut down shipments of high-tech items to Russia, media reports
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Russia-registered firm smuggles sensitive technology from EU into country despite its links to Russian intelligence agencies, new investigation shows
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Russia: Microsoft allegedly intends to stay on market by offering companies to renew software licenses, local media reports
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Russia: Cybersecurity firm Group-IB finalises exit from market
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Russia continues to import Western weapons technology despite sanctions, trade data shows
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Majority of components in weapons used by Russian army in Ukraine produced by Western firms, two reports show; incl. cos. comments
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Russia: Twitter lifts restrictions on govt. & state media accounts
Elon Musk’s social media site lifts restrictions on Kremlin-linked tweets
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UK: London-based firm allegedly sent goods incl. semiconductors to Russia despite imposed sanctions, according to customs data
Company registered to terraced house in London sent goods including semiconductors, according to customs data
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Russia: Microsoft to pay $3 million over alleged sanctions violations between 2012 & 2019
The majority of the apparent violations involved blacklisted Russian companies or persons in the Crimea region of Ukraine, Treasury officials said
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Russia: CISCO destroyed $23.5 million worth of equipment during exit to prevent it from falling into Russian hands
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Russia avoids sanctions by buying EU-made chips & crucial semiconductors from third countries, according to diplomatic source
Imports of chips from Turkey, UAE have soared since invasion. European goods may be reaching Russia through those countries.
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Chinese company Xian Bingo Intelligent Aviation Technology reportedly in talks with Russia to supply drones
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Japan bans export of high-tech goods to Russia which can be used for military purposes
Tokyo’s latest sanctions come after Russia launched missile attacks across Ukraine that killed at least 11 people.
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Opinion: Western components have no place in Russia’s arsenal
Manufacturers have a moral obligation to prevent their products being used in weapons against Ukraine
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China aids Russia’s war in Ukraine, trade data shows; incl. cos. comments
Despite sanctions, Moscow equips its jet fighters, submarines and soldiers with help of Chinese companies
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Millions of computer chips from Dutch manufacturers found in Russian weapons, new investigations shows; incl. cos. comments
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The Orlan Complex. Tracking the supply chains of Russia's most successful UAV
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Russia: Intel & Microsoft allegedly quietly unblock software downloads and updates, incl. cos. comments
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Ukraine: Single Iranian attack drone found to contain parts from more than dozen US companies, recent investigation shows; incl. cos. comments
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Biden administration launches task force to probe US components in Iranian drones used against Ukraine
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The supply chain that keeps tech flowing to Russia
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Ukrainian analysis identifies Western supply chain behind Iran’s drones
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UK: Company owned by PM's father-in-law still operating in Russia, report says; incl. co. comments
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Cisco ended operations in Russia, but its gear allegedly being shipped through China & other countries; incl. co. comments
Around 500 shipments of Cisco gear apparently arrived in Russia in August, months after the networking giant ended business operations there
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New investigation finds shipment of Western computer parts used in Russian weapons continued after invasion; incl. cos. comments
After Russia invaded Ukraine, the West announced tough new sanctions and tech companies said they had halted all exports to Russia. Yet supplies of Western computer parts continued, a joint investigation finds.
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Microsoft scales down Russia operations, over 400 employees will be affected
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IBM lays off staff & winds down operations in Russia
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HPE exiting Russia & Belarus over war in Ukraine
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Tech company Canva withdraws entirely from Russia after pressure, joining global exodus as war continues
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Russia: Consumers sue Apple after payment service withdrawn, ask for compensation for 'moral damage' caused
Apple was among a number of big companies to pull services from Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine, but Russian consumers are hitting back.
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Chinese company DJI Technology Co suspends sales in Ukraine & Russia to prevent the use of its drones in combat to cause harm; incl. co comment
DJI Technology Co temporarily suspends business in Russia and Ukraine to ensure that no one uses their drones in combat. The company denies allegations of leaking data on the Ukrainian military to Russia.
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Clearview AI used in Ukraine to identify deceased soldiers, despite concerns about use of facial recognition technology during conflict
Clearview AI offers its services to Ukraine for free, despite privacy and discrimination-related concerns related to the use of facial recognition technology in conflict-affected areas.
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Pro-war propaganda continues to be shared on TikTok in Russia according to researchers; co. declined to comment
Findings by social media researchers suggests that TikTok allowed a network of Russian accounts posting pro-invasion content to keep operating and that there was manipulation of the information ecosystem on the platform.
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Spotify stops streaming in Russia over safety concerns caused by new law on media
Spotify is pulling out of Russia citing a new law that threatens jail for spreading "fake news" about the country's armed forces.
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Russian court bans Facebook and Instagram as extremist
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Human Rights Watch releases Q&A about actions taken by social media & messaging services in Ukraine
Human Rights Watch releases Q&A document examining the human rights responsibilities of social media and messaging services companies in crisis situations.
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Human Rights Watch calls on tech companies to prioritize human rights in Ukraine
Human Rights Watch releases a Q&A document explaining the human rights responsibilities of technology companies in crises and calling on social media and messaging services companies to do more to meet their human rights responsibilities in Ukraine.
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Tech companies withdrawing from Russia should carefully assess how their actions may contribute to eradication of remaining online freedoms, says HRW
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Russia: Govt. threats & intimidation of tech companies negatively affecting free expresson; incl. co. comments
Technology companies have faced increasing pressure and intimidation in Russia to censor critical content or comply with demands. This includes an app designed to help Russians register protest votes against Putin being taken down after intimidation.
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Sony and Nintendo halt business in Russia following its invasion of Ukraine
The firms are the latest global brands to join a growing exodus from Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
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What the tech sector can do to respect human rights in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, and beyond
Since 24 February 2022, the international community has watched the crisis in Ukraine escalate into war. In the midst of this crisis, the tech sector finds itself as a player in the conflict, caught between government & regulatory demands to limit or restrict services & growing pressure from the public and civil society to take urgent action to prevent human rights harms. AccessNow offers some recommendations.
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Reaktion auf Ukrainekrieg: Tech-Firmen wie Apple, Microsoft, Netflix & Amazon ziehen sich aus Russland zurück
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Ukraine: Tech companies response to invasion incl. stopping sales & services in Russia, restricting RT and Sputnik content on social media, preventing cyber attacks & more; incl. co. comments
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South Korea: Samsung and LG concern over shipping lines’ delivery halt to Russia after invasion of Ukraine
Korea is seeking exemptions from the US to avoid its key export items being banned from shipping to Russia
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Google disables Maps traffic data in Ukraine to protect citizens during Russian military invasion
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Crucial role of tech companies and digital media in opposing the attack on Ukraine
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Apple takes stand against Russia: bans sales & limits functionality
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Guerre en Ukraine : les géants de la tech s'attaquent aux médias proches du pouvoir russe
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Guerra en Ucrania: Las empresas de tecnología señalan informaciones falsas y desmonetizan los canales de los medios de comunicación estatales rusos
Available languages: español -
Russia: Japan's tech co. Rakuten removes ads from messaging service in Ukraine & Russia, but will not block service in Russia
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Facebook says it has cracked down on hacking group targeting Ukrainian social media accounts
Facebook says it has cracked down on a hacking group known as "Ghostwriter" that has been increasing its efforts to target Ukrainian military officials and other platform users.
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Google blocks Russia's state-owned media outlet RT from earning ad dollars
Google bars Russia's state-owned media outlet RT and other channels from receiving money for ads on their websites, apps and YouTube videos, similar to action by Facebook after the invasion of Ukraine.
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Elon Musk activates Starlink satellites in Ukraine following request for support
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Meta rolls out privacy & security measures to help people in Ukraine & Russia protect their accounts
Meta has rolled out additional privacy and security protections in Ukraine and also plans to add them in Russia in response to reports of targeting of civil society and protestors.
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Ukraine internet outages spark concerns of broader blackout
Civil society groups are increasingly concerned about the possibility of direct attacks on the Ukraine's internet infrastructure and negative implications for freedom of expression and access to information.
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Russian-based disinformation about Ukraine is spreading through major social media platforms; incl. co. comments
Social media companies take action to address the spread of misinformation about Ukraine by Russia-backed media through their platforms.
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Access Now says cyberattacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure and civil society violate human rights
Access Now recommends that social media platforms and other technology firms make investments to prevent the spread of disinformation campaigns designed to escalate tensions in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and efrain from using misinformation as a justification to restrict access.