TL;DR
Low-cost, commercially available drones have become central to modern conflict, allowing state and non-state actors, such as pro-Russia militias and Iran-backed terrorist organizations, to project power affordably.
Drone procurement networks of state-backed actors increasingly intersect with the blockchain, which raises compliance challenges given the dual-use nature of drone technology.
Pro-Russia volunteer groups have successfully raised millions in crypto across various blockchains to purchase UAVs and associated components from global e-commerce platforms.
Analysis of sanctioned manufacturers like KB Vostok reveals how blockchain data can shed light on nation-state buyers of interest. In particular, analysis of transactional patterns can empower investigators to identify unit sales and gain insight into state-adjacent supply chains.
