A new Senate Democratic report has uncovered that U.S.-manufactured technology continues to make its way into Russian military equipment, highlighting major gaps in export control enforcement.
The 30-page report, led by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), found that the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is severely underfunded and lacks modern tools to properly monitor and prevent U.S. tech exports to Russia.
American microchips from major manufacturers like AMD, Analog Devices, Intel, and Texas Instruments have been discovered in Russian missiles and drones, despite export restrictions put in place following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The investigation revealed that BIS has largely left compliance decisions to semiconductor companies themselves and has not imposed strict enough penalties for violations. The agency operates with outdated technology and insufficient resources to fulfill its national security mandate.
"BIS enforcement is a shadow of what it should be, and inadequate at every level," the report states. This comes as some officials in the incoming Trump administration advocate for substantial cuts to government spending.
In response, Texas Instruments emphasized its opposition to Russian military use of their products, stating they stopped sales to Russia in February 2022. AMD similarly highlighted their immediate cessation of sales and support to Russia following the invasion.
The Commerce Department defended its record, noting that under the Biden administration, BIS has implemented "the most robust export controls in history" in coordination with allies. However, they acknowledged that the bureau's budget has remained stagnant for a decade.
The report's findings are particularly concerning as Russia has managed to increase its production of artillery, missiles, and drones despite Western sanctions. A UK defense think tank found that Russia continues to obtain components from NATO member countries through various channels.
The investigation revealed that Russian distributors have found ways to circumvent restrictions, including integrating ordering information directly from manufacturers' online stores and routing purchases through intermediary countries like Hong Kong before reaching Russia.
Senator Blumenthal has called on Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to take aggressive action to stop U.S. semiconductor flow into Russian military equipment, as Western officials continue to find American-made components in captured Russian weapons.