Summary
-
The EU proposes a ban on exporting drivers to Russia to reduce military drones.
-
Russian drone operators are reportedly mostly used by controllers produced in Chinese, which could reduce the impact of EU sanctions.
-
The proposed bill is waiting for the EU approval.
The EU has proposed a new ban on limiting the export of controllers and video game equipment to Russia. The legislation is designed to help the Ukrainian war effort by limiting the offer of equipment used by the Russian army to operate drones.
In March 2022, Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo were suspended by the sale of console and e -shop in Russia in response to Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Hardware manufacturers, such as Nvidia, also joined the embargo by suspending all sales in Russia, along with many gaming studios and publishers, including Take-Two, Ubisoft, EA and CD project Red. Putin, who was retaliatory against these Western sanctions, effectively legalized video game piracy and the Russian government even commissioned the construction of a new Russian console that competes with Xbox and PlayStation.
2:08
Related
Stalker 2 could be banned in Russia
With the release of Stalker 2 around the corner, the Russian government warns against potential prohibitions if the game contains certain elements.
With the third anniversary of the Russian invasion approaching 24 February, the EU looks at a new set of sanctions to limit the sale of equipment for video games to Russia. According to the EU Financial Times, EU officials explained that the proposed ban on the controller would include the sales of video games, gamepads, simulator flight controllers and other devices capable of controlling drones remotely. Both sides often use gamepads to check flights of drones and military equipment, and the Ukrainian territorial defense forces even developed remotely controlled towers operated by steam packages. The proposed bill of the EU law is designed to prevent the trade of this vital equipment from reaching Russia through Europe.
Proposed EU export ban on controllers used by Russian drones pilots
While companies such as Sony have realized the potential that drones can offer the world of the game world, the Ukrainian war has seen military drones used to explore and accurate bombings on a large scale. The drones sometimes cost only $ 500 and capable of destroying tanks and artillery goals worth millions of dollars, and this has become one of the most valuable and feared assets on the battlefield. However, the proposed EU sanctions can have a small practical effect on the front line. In an interview with the Financial Times, Olena Bilousová, an expert on military and double uses from the Kiev School of Economics, she warned that “the most [Russian drone] Operators rely on Chinese drivers available on online markets in Russia, ”not to the administrators obtained from Europe. After the western hardware companies left Russia in 2022, the Kremlin looked at other markets like Iran and China. According to business data monitor, Chinese sales of gaming appliances to Russia tripled from $ 30 million in $ 2022 to $ 120 million in 2024.
According to EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas also banned the upcoming EU law of chemicals “needed for the Russian military industry”. However, the bill will first have to be approved by all 27 EU Member States. Russia has also recently won against the West with its own sanctions, banned the discord application for social media, and reportedly developed its own competitor on Unreal Engine 5.
