Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky [Getty Images]
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky [Getty Images]

A Ukrainian official has claimed that 90 percent of the weapons Russia uses in the war against Ukraine contain Japanese-made components.

Vladyslav Vlasiuk, a Ukrainian presidential adviser overseeing sanctions policy against Russia, said in an interview Saturday that approximately 90 percent of the cruise missiles, ballistic missiles and drones Russia uses in its invasion of Ukraine "contain parts manufactured by Japanese companies," according to Kyodo News on Monday.

Among the weapons he cited as containing Japanese components was Russia's KH-101 cruise missile.

Vlasiuk said electronic components from major Japanese semiconductor and electrical equipment companies had been used in the missile.

He added that Japanese parts were also found in drones Russia mass-produces based on Iran's Shahed drone, the Lancet loitering munition and the Mohajer-6 reconnaissance drone supplied by Iran.

Vlasiuk urged Japan to tighten its export controls, saying he suspects civilian dual-use components were being diverted for military purposes after being re-exported through third countries.

He said Japanese-made parts had been identified in the analysis of missile and drone wreckage, and that many of them were entering Russia via China or Central Asia.

Vlasiuk named 13 Japanese companies during the interview, but Kyodo News said those companies responded that they could not confirm the claims.

Strikes and counterstrikes continue

Meanwhile, Russia and Ukraine continue to trade attacks and counterattacks.

Ukraine has approved a "40-day operation" aimed at pressuring Russia by targeting its energy infrastructure, stepping up its offensive with the goal of ending the war.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on social media June 27 (local time) that "last night, an FP-5 Flamingo missile successfully struck the Titan-Barrikady military equipment production facility in Volgograd, Russia." A video Zelensky posted alongside the statement showed the Flamingo missile being launched and hitting its target.

The Flamingo is a domestically developed Ukrainian cruise missile unveiled in August last year.

It has a range of 3,000 kilometers, putting not only Moscow — about 750 kilometers from the Ukrainian capital Kyiv — but also much of western Russia within striking distance.

On the same day, Russia struck back, hitting production facilities belonging to Ukrainian energy company Naftogaz in the northeastern regions of Poltava and Kharkiv. Naftogaz said the Russian attack damaged its production facilities and caused other losses.


yul@heraldcorp.com