Zelensky said his government has handed over detailed intelligence to its Western allies, identifying each company and product found in recovered Russian weapon systems. According to him, U.S.-manufactured components such as converters and sensors have been discovered in Kh-101 cruise missiles and Shahed-type drones, while British firms were linked to the production of microcomputers used in drone navigation.

The revelations carry heavy implications, given that both Washington and London have been among Ukraine’s strongest supporters since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. The two allies have supplied billions of dollars’ worth of weapons, intelligence, and humanitarian assistance to bolster Kyiv’s defense.

Responding to the allegations, the United Kingdom’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) said it was taking the matter “incredibly seriously.” A government spokesperson emphasized that the UK had already prohibited the export of thousands of goods to Russia, including those identified by Ukraine as being used in its war effort.

“We take reports of British-made goods ending up in Russian weaponry incredibly seriously,” the spokesperson said. “Any individual or business violating sanctions could face severe financial penalties or criminal prosecution.”

The department said more than £20 billion ($26.9 billion) worth of trade between the UK and Russia is now under sanction, reflecting some of the strictest restrictions in modern history.

Despite these measures, Russia has continued to sustain — and even expand — aspects of its military-industrial production through a network of third-party intermediaries, particularly in countries not aligned with Western sanctions. This has allowed Moscow to circumvent trade restrictions and maintain access to critical components.

Russia, now the most sanctioned nation on earth, has managed to avert economic collapse by rerouting exports, expanding defense budgets, and cultivating new energy markets, especially in China and India. Still, warning signs are beginning to appear. In June, Russia’s Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov acknowledged that the country was “on the brink of recession” amid sluggish industrial output and growing fiscal pressures.

Meanwhile, tensions are mounting over reports of increased cooperation between Russia and China. Ukrainian intelligence official Oleh Alexandrov alleged that Beijing has been providing Moscow with satellite reconnaissance data to help identify Ukrainian targets. He claimed Kyiv had gathered evidence of “a high level of cooperation” between the two nations in mapping out potential strike zones.

The Kremlin has denied those claims. Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov insisted that Russia “has its own space capabilities” and does not depend on Chinese satellite support.

Zelensky’s remarks come as several European nations report a spike in unexplained drone sightings near military installations and airports. Some officials believe Russia is testing NATO’s air defenses, an accusation Moscow has dismissed as “baseless.”

Sunday’s overnight barrage — involving more than 500 missiles and drones — killed four members of one family, including a 15-year-old girl, in the Lviv region of western Ukraine. The attack underscored the growing intensity of Russia’s long-range strikes as winter approaches and Ukraine braces for renewed assaults on its critical infrastructure.