U.S. Blacklists a Dozen Russian Firms Over Drone Work

The Biden administration on Thursday announced the addition of 12 Russian companies to its trade blacklist due to their support for Russia’s military in supplying drones that could potentially assist in the invasion of Ukraine, according to a statement from the Commerce Department.

Companies included on the list, such as Hartis DV LLC and Alfakomponent, will be effectively prohibited from receiving supplies from external vendors, with the exception of potentially food and medicine.

The added companies did not respond to inquiries for comments.

Matthew Axelrod, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement, stated that the Commerce Department will continue to utilize all available authorities to target Russia’s acquisition of technologies necessary for drone operations.

Additionally, an Uzbek company was added to the blacklist for similar reasons.

The Biden administration has actively employed its trade blacklist—known as the entity list—as part of its strategy to impede Russian President Vladimir Putin’s military efforts in Ukraine by complicating the acquisition of crucial foreign technology. However, critics have raised concerns about the effectiveness of these measures.

Putin has referred to the conflict, which began in February of last year, as a special military operation.