UK stops exports of video game controller in Russia – Research snipers

The United Kingdom has banned the export of video game controllers to Russia. The backdrop for this is the misuse of the Russian army in the Ukraine war. However, some experts are skeptical about the mass.

Controller as war equipment

The British Foreign Ministry has banned the export of video game controllers to Russia. The reason for this is that the devices actually designed for games are abused by the Russian armed forces in order to control the war drones in the Ukraine war.

The mass is part of a wide package of about 150 new trading sanctions that came into force this week. “Games are no longer misused to kill in Ukraine,” British Foreign Minister Stephen Doughty said. The measure follows a similar ban that the European Union had already decided at the beginning of the year.

Comprehensive sanctions against Russia

New sanctions are not limited to game controllers. As the BBC reports, the package also includes prohibitions on exports of chemicals, electronics, cars, metals and software for Russia’s protection and energy sector. The focus is especially on electronic circuits and ingredients that can be installed in weapons systems. Sanctions are intended to limit Russia’s ability to bypass trade restrictions and to weaken military capacities.

Putin thought he could use the British markets to strengthen his war effort by buying harmless goods and turning them into means of war – but the UK reveals this dark trade and stands against it. Stephen Doughhty, UK Foreign Minister

Suspicion

However, experts express concerns about the current effectiveness of the controller’s prohibition. Since most video game controllers are manufactured in China and Japan, Russia can continue to move to these devices through allied countries.

Moreover, the question arises to what extent the available commercial game controllers, which are typically created for the nearby area, are actually suitable for drone control. Andrew Buss, Senior Director of Research at IDC, says controllers are associated with specialized drone control systems through USB or Bluetooth.

These systems can then turn controller commands into control signals with a larger range. Recent sanctions have been announced after one of the biggest Russian attacks on KyIw in recent weeks. According to the Ukraine army, nine people are said to have been killed and dozens were injured in a night attack.