Russian 20th Directorate Exploits Japan for War Tech as 90% of Missiles Use Japanese Parts
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 12
Russian 20th Directorate Exploits Japan for War Tech as 90% of Missiles Use Japanese Parts
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 12
Summary
Dozens of Russian spies expelled from Western capitals after the 2022 Ukraine invasion have resurfaced in Japan, where officials say the 20th Directorate buys or steals battlefield technology for Russia.
Japan has become a key node because weak espionage laws and a deep high-tech industrial base make it easier to procure microchips, transmitters and weapon-making machinery.
Ninety percent of Russian missiles and drones contain Japanese components, according to Ukrainian government estimates, underscoring how central those supplies are to Moscow's war effort.
Tokyo's operation is overseen by a 20th Directorate officer working under cover as an Aeroflot employee, according to current officials from four Western intelligence agencies.
Is Russia's entire war effort now dependent on smuggling high-tech components from Japan?
Can Japan’s new intelligence agency overhaul truly turn the tables on Moscow's deep-rooted spy networks?
With 90% of Russian missiles using its parts, are Western tech sanctions fundamentally broken?
Exposing Japan’s Role: The Flow of High-Tech Components to Russia’s War Machine and the Global Sanctions Challenge
Overview
This report reveals that Japanese electronic components are widely found in Russian missiles and drones used in Ukraine, exposing a major weakness in international sanctions. Russia relies heavily on imported parts to keep its war machine running, enabling it to launch thousands of attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. As a result, Ukraine must constantly stretch its air defenses and rebuild. Ukrainian officials have identified Japan, along with China and the United States, as key sources of these components and can trace them back to specific manufacturers. This situation highlights the urgent need to strengthen controls and close loopholes in global supply chains.