EU sanctions chief of ABS Electro and five of its subsidiaries producing components for Russian Geran drones

The European Union has imposed sanctions on Irina Kharisova, chair of the board of directors of the ABS Electro group, and five companies in the group linked to the production of components for Russian attack drones. The decision followed Russian attacks on Kyiv overnight into July 1 and July 5, according to a press release from the Council of the EU.

The sanctions list includes VNIIIR JSC, ABS ZEIM Automation JSC, VNIIIR Hydro LLC, VNIIIR-Promelectro LLC and VNIIIR-Progress JSC. Kharisova chairs ABS Electro’s board and also heads several companies in the group.

According to the Council of the EU, the companies develop and produce electronic and radio-electronic components needed for drone operations. In particular, they are involved in creating systems that make Russia’s Geran drones more resistant to electronic warfare. Several companies in the group also produce automated control systems for Russia’s energy sector.

One of the sanctioned companies, VNIIIR-Progress, produces Kometa anti-jamming navigation modules, which are installed on Russian drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. The systems allow munitions to maintain satellite navigation even under conditions of electronic suppression.