UK Stops Video Game Controller Exports to Russia

The United Kingdom has banned the export of video game controllers to Russia. The background to this is the misuse of the Russian military in the Ukraine War. However, some experts are skeptical about the measure.

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 game consoles are misused by Russian armed forces in order to control combat drones in the Ukraine War.

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

Comprehensive sanctions against Russia

The new sanctions are not only limited to game controllers. As the BBC reports, the package also includes bans for the export of chemicals, electronics, machines, metals and software for Russia’s defense and energy sector. The focus is particularly on electronic circuits and components that could be installed in weapon systems. The sanctions are intended to restrict Russia’s ability to circumvent trade restrictions and weaken the military capacities.

Putin thought that he could use British markets to strengthen his war effort by buying harmless goods and transforming them into war tools – but Great Britain reveals this dark trade and stands against it. Stephen Doughhty, Foreign Minister UK

Doubts about measure

However, experts express concerns about the actual effectiveness of the controller ban. Since most video game controllers are manufactured in China and Japan, Russia could continue to move into these devices via allied countries.

In addition, the question arises to what extent commercially available game controllers, which are typically designed for the near area, are actually suitable for controlling drones. Andrew Buss, Senior Research Director at IDC, speaks that the controllers are connected to specialized drone control systems via USB or Bluetooth.

These systems could then convert the commands of the controller into control signals with a larger range. The latest sanctions have been announced after one of the largest Russian attacks on Kyiv in the past few weeks. According to the Ukrainian military, nine people are said to have been killed and dozens were injured in a nightly attack.