Ukraine maps Russia's Su-35 down to control units, finds 22 unsanctioned suppliers

Ukraine has carried out a detailed technical analysis of Russia's Su-35 fighter jet, tracing its components down to individual control units. The effort identified 22 companies involved in the aircraft's production and support chain that have not been placed under any international sanctions.

Systems covered by the findings

The companies identified are connected to several of the aircraft's core systems: its engines, its guidance and control equipment, its jamming gear used for electronic warfare, and the air-to-air missiles the jet fires. This indicates that firms with direct roles in supplying critical combat-enabling components have so far avoided sanctions.

Gaps in the sanctions regime

The mapping highlights that existing international sanctions targeting Russia's military-industrial sector have not fully captured the supply networks behind advanced weapons systems. While broader sanctions frameworks already target Russia's defense industry, this granular analysis shows that specific manufacturers tied to individual aircraft components can still operate without restriction.

By tracing the supply chain down to the level of individual control units, the analysis allows for more precise identification of companies whose exclusion from international trade could hinder Russia's ability to maintain and rebuild its combat aircraft fleet. The list of 22 identified firms could serve as a basis for future decisions on expanding sanctions lists, though none of these companies currently appear on any sanctions register.