Russian invasion slows as tech supply chain fractures

In five months of war Russian troops have fired over 3,650 missiles and rockets at military and civilian targets in Ukraine, according to Reuters. At the same time, the world is experiencing a year-long shortage of semiconductorsor chips, required for a range of manufacturing industries – including weaponry. Stemming from supply chain issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the chip shortage has finally begun to slow Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The chip manufacturing crisis is putting pressure on Russian troops

Russia has relied on Western electronics for a long time, maintaining partnerships with companies like Texas Instruments Inc, Infineon and Intel until all ties were cut following the sanctions put in place due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. So, when the White House announced the US was “cutting off Russia’s access to cutting edge technology”, there was hope that warfare would be forced to a halt.

“The unprecedented export control measures will cut off more than half of Russia’s high-tech imports, restricting Russia’s access to vital technological inputs, atrophying its industrial base, and undercutting Russia’s strategic ambitions to exert influence on the world stage” the White House reported.

However, some non-military tech products, like chips, have still made their way to Russia.

An investigation by Reuters and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) found that many of Russia’s weapons included internal components manufactured by US companies, including Infineon and Intel. Further inspection by Reuters and RUSI revealed that most of these high-tech products, such as the previously mentioned chips in short supply, had either been supplied by third-party sellers or manufactured 30 years ago.

Responding to the findingsInfineon claimed it was “concerned should our products be used for purposes for which they were not designed.” Intel also stated it “does not support or tolerate our products being used to violate human rights.”

Intel steps in to solve the chip manufacturing crisis in the West