Written question asked by Drew Hendry (Scottish National Party) on Friday, 2 September 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 September 2022. It was answered by Leo Docherty (Conservative) on Wednesday, 21 September 2022 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Russia: Unmanned Air Systems

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the sanctions regime to include people facilitating the (a) purchase and (b) transfer of civilian drones that could be used by Russian service personnel during the war in Ukraine.

Answer: The UK, along with its allies, have introduced severe sanctions against Russia's defence industry. This includes prohibitions on the export, supply and delivery, and making available of restricted goods, including unmanned aircraft, to Russia. Sanctions against Kronshtadt, the main producer of Kronshtadt Orion drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles widely used during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, will make it harder to replace these drones. We will continue this pressure against Putin and his regime, until Ukraine prevails or Putin's ends his war of choice. It is not appropriate to speculate on specific future designations. To do this could reduce the impact of the designations.

Secondary information