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Russian Film Studio Mosfilm Supplied Drones and Weapons Tech to Troops Under Humanitarian Cover
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Russian film studio Mosfilm and several state museums in Russia’s Leningrad region have been covertly supplying the Russian military with drones, electronic warfare systems, and Starlink terminals, all while publicly describing these shipments as “humanitarian aid.”
According to an investigation by Radio Svoboda published on November 24, Russian leader Vladimir Putin met with Karen Shakhnazarov, head of the Mosfilm film studio, on November 13, 2024. Shakhnazarov was added to the EU sanctions list in July 2025 for “actions undermining the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine.” Mosfilm itself has so far avoided Western sanctions.
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A long-time confidant of Putin and an outspoken supporter of the so-called “SVO,” Shakhnazarov told Putin that in 2023 the studio handed over 28 T-55 tanks, eight PT-76 tanks, six infantry fighting vehicles, and eight tractors previously stored at a military-technical base.
“We provided 8 million rubles (Around $101,000) in charitable assistance this year, including 6 million (approximately $75,000) for the needs of the ‘SVO,’” he said, according to Radio Svoboda.
Mosfilm’s official website claims the studio collects humanitarian aid for Russian troops. In practice, the company has been purchasing and transferring Chinese-made drones and electronic warfare systems. Procurement records from the Kontur.Fokus database show that between June 2024 and October 2025, Mosfilm bought DJI Mavic T3 drones and various EW systems worth nearly $75,000.
Investigators note that these are high-end T3 models equipped with thermal imaging, costing between $5,000 and $7,000 per unit. Such drones are widely used by both Russian and Ukrainian forces, increasing demand for so-called “invisibility cloaks” designed to mask soldiers from night-time UAV detection.
State procurement data indicates that in 2024 Mosfilm spent around $50,000 on drones and EW equipment, contradicting Shakhnazarov’s earlier figure of $75,000. The purchases paused and resumed only in autumn 2025, when the studio acquired two Mavic drones for about $22,500.
Mosfilm also procured Bulat and Asel drone detectors, Romashka UAV jammers, and Kapyushon EW stations, often grouped with drone purchases in the same tender. None of these acquisitions appear in official state procurement registries, including Zakupki 360 and Rostender.
Radio Svoboda journalists further discovered that several state museums in the Leningrad region have been regularly purchasing equipment for the needs of the Russian army, including Starlink satellite terminals that are formally banned in Russia.
Among the institutions involved is the Vyborg United Museum-Reserve, which oversees Vyborg Castle and other historical sites. Other participating museums include the ethnographic museum in Illichevo and the Korela Fortress in Priozersk.
The Vyborg museum accounted for the largest volume of purchases. Its most recent tender—for DJI Mavic 3T drones with thermal imaging—was announced in late October 2025.
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Since October 2024, the museum has also purchased Starlink V3.0 systems, EW stations, TYT MD-390 radios, drone indicators, and even motorcycles for the Russian army, as reported by Radio Svoboda. In total, its acquisitions exceeded nearly $62,500, while the overall value of tenders in which the museum acted as the contracting party surpassed $2 million during the same period.
Earlier, it was reported that Russia will start implementing new rules targeting entertainment content it claims encourages a voluntary child-free lifestyle.
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