Conflict & Security
Investigation Reveals Russian GRU Unit Using Japan as Tech Pipeline for Military
July 13, 2026 at 06:18 PM · Updated 96d ago
Coverage
2 reports · 1 in Arabic, 1 in English · over 18 hours
A New York Times investigation has uncovered that Russia's 20th Directorate of the GRU operates a covert network in Japan to acquire advanced technology for its war effort.
- According to Ukrainian government estimates, approximately 90 percent of Russian missiles and drones contain Japanese-made components.
- Maxim Vladimirovich Velichenkov, a Russian intelligence officer, arrived in Japan in February 2024 under cover as an Aeroflot employee, the investigation reported.
- Ukraine sent at least eight diplomatic memos to Japan's Foreign Ministry in April 2025 providing evidence of Japanese components found in Russian weapons used against civilians.
- Takehiko Miki, owner of shipping firm Broco Air, confirmed knowing Velichenkov but denied knowledge of his intelligence role or involvement in shipping banned goods to Russia.