Investigation Launched in Switzerland Over Claims of Drone Sales to Ukraine

Switzerland has launched an investigation to determine whether the local company Destinus sold drones to Ukraine, potentially circumventing the embargo on arms sales to countries at war, reported the official representative of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) Françoise Chanç.

Chanç's remarks followed statements from Destinus founder Mikhail Kokorich, the former owner of Technosila, who claimed that his company is selling hundreds of drones to Ukraine. Kokorich, a Russian citizen, made this announcement in an interview with the French magazine Challenges in January. He had declared in January that he renounced his passport due to a "fundamental disagreement" with the policies of the Russian authorities.

“SECO cannot take a position at this time. It is currently being clarified whether Swiss law has been violated,” Chanç told the agency.

Following the start of military operations in Ukraine, the country refused to supply arms to either side of the conflict, citing its neutral status. At the same time, Bern joined the EU sanctions against Russia and decided to maintain the price cap on Russian oil set by Western nations.

Swiss law allows local companies to engage in international defense value chains. European manufacturers can supply equipment and arms to Kyiv if the proportion of Swiss-made components is below a certain threshold. However, it is prohibited to transfer arms and equipment to Ukraine exclusively from Switzerland.