Invaders’ equipment contains fridge and dishwasher parts

RUSSIA has been forced to use computer chips from dishwashers and refrigerators in its military hardware as a result of Western sanctions, a top US official has said.

Gina Raimondo, the commerce secretary, said: “We have reports from Ukrainians that when they find Russian military equipment on the ground, it’s filled with semiconductors they took out of dishwashers and refrigerators.”

Technology experts have said exports to Russia have fallen by nearly 70 per cent since sanctions began after the invasion of Ukraine on Feb 24.

Almost 30 Western nations have adopted similar punitive measures against Moscow, making it difficult for the Kremlin’s armed forces to secure the required components to fix their battle-weakened military machines.

Ms Raimondo also claimed two Russian tank factories have shut down because of a lack of components.

The US and Europe had already limited the sale of computer chips to Russia after its annexation of Crimea in 2014.