Russian Lancet drones striking Kyiv contain at least 50 foreign-made components
AI-powered Lancet debris that fell in central Kyiv several metres from the Independence Monument (Photo: REUTERS/Gleb Garanich)
Russian Lancet drones that attacked Kyiv on March 16 likely contained at least 50 components manufactured in Western countries, Presidential Commissioner for Sanctions Policy Vladyslav Vlasiuk reported on March 17.
The drones, one of which crashed on Independence Square in Kyiv, reached the capital under their own power, he said.
"Russian forces made 'design changes' to achieve this."
The advisor added that investigators found a lidar, a camera, extra memory, and a processor inside the Lancet UAV.
"The 50 main components making up the drone are manufactured in the U.S., Switzerland, China, the Netherlands, Germany, South Korea, and Russia," Vlasiuk clarified.
"Some components were manufactured in 2023 and 2024."
Russia decided to attack Kyiv with Lancet drones because Ukrainian air defenses have been working "very effectively" recently, and Russian officials need to deliver "very iconic news" to dictator Vladimir Putin and the Russian public, Defense Ministry advisor Serhii (Flash) Beskrestnov said on March 17.
The military portal Defense Express earlier reported that the enemy drone that fell near the Independence Monument in the morning Russian attack on Kyiv was an AI-powered Lancet.
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