Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on April 24, 2025
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain on Thursday said it was banning the export to Russia of video game controllers which can be used to pilot drones, part of its latest package of trade measures following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
"We're ... banning outright video game controllers going to Russia, preventing them from being used to pilot drones on the frontline, meaning gaming consoles will no longer be repurposed to kill in Ukraine," sanctions minister Stephen Doughty said in a statement.
The announcement comes after Ukraine's air force said Russia had launched 215 drones and missiles in an overnight attack.
The European Union adopted a similar ban on video games and joysticks earlier this year.
Britain also said it was blocking the export of software used by the defence and energy sectors, including programmes used to produce weaponry, and search for and tap new oil and gas wells.
(Reporting by William James; Editing by Catarina Demony)
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