- Category
- Latest news
US-Made Ubiquiti Gear Powers Russian Military Networks in Ukraine Despite Sanctions
- Authors
![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Russian forces are widely using networking equipment produced by US-based company Ubiquiti to build battlefield communications and control drone operations, according to an investigation published by Hunterbrook on January 27.
Investigators found that Ubiquiti radio bridges, antennas, and networking devices are regularly visible at Russian military positions along the front lines in Ukraine.
Every article pushes back against disinformation. Your support keeps our team in the field.
Based on open-source analysis, Hunterbrook estimates that Ubiquiti equipment accounts for roughly 80% of the radio-bridge hardware used by Russian forces in combat zones.
By analyzing Telegram posts, videos, and other publicly available materials, journalists identified at least nine Russian military units—or individuals linked to those units—using Ubiquiti equipment. Several of the units identified have previously been accused of committing war crimes in Ukraine.
The investigation also examined how Ubiquiti equipment, formally restricted from export to Russia under US and EU sanctions, continues to reach Russian military users.
Late last year, TASS released footage of what appears to be conscript signalmen from the Leningrad Military District's Signal Brigade using Ubiquiti point-to-point equipment during exercises.
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) January 27, 2026
Notably, these Ubiquiti routers are being deployed near NATO’s borders. pic.twitter.com/Djv6aNXKNd
A Hunterbrook reporter, posing as a procurement officer responsible for military purchases, contacted Russian suppliers and multiple official Ubiquiti distributors across different countries. Nearly a dozen sellers reportedly agreed to supply export-restricted equipment. One supplier even provided letters of appreciation, claiming they were received for delivering Ubiquiti hardware to Russian military units.
According to the investigation, official distributors—including the US-based company Multilink Solutions—were willing to arrange shipments to third countries such as Turkey, offering pickup options even after the buyer explicitly stated they were located in Russia.
Trade data analyzed by Hunterbrook shows that the total value of Ubiquiti equipment crossing into Russia increased by 66% after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, despite existing US and EU sanctions and export controls.
-98d31b238962988a82662dd1f44a2cd4.jpg)
The shipments reportedly include newer Ubiquiti models released after sanctions were imposed, indicating that Russia has maintained access to the company’s supply chains.
Russian sellers openly use Ubiquiti branding and logos, despite Russian intellectual property laws that formally require rapid removal of such materials and allow for criminal penalties for violations.
Ubiquiti Inc. is an American technology company founded in San Jose, California, in 2003. Now based in New York City, Ubiquiti manufactures and sells wireless data communication and wired products for enterprises and homes under multiple brand names.
In 2025, Ubiquiti filed for trademark protection of its stylized “U” logo with Russia’s Federal Service for Intellectual Property and won the case. However, the investigation found no visible enforcement actions taken by the company against Russian vendors using its branding.
Industry experts told Hunterbrook that Ubiquiti likely has the technical capability to track where its products are deployed and may already be doing so.
As of September 2025, the company appears to have restricted firmware updates for Russian users based on IP addresses, according to complaints posted on Russian forums.
Those complaints suggest that Ubiquiti is capable of identifying device locations. Experts also noted that individual devices can be traced back to original distributors through serial numbers and MAC addresses, potentially allowing the company to map supply routes into Russia.
Earlier, Ukrainian military engineers discovered that Russian forces are now wiring Starlink satellite terminals on their drones with explosive traps, raising concerns over the safety of capturing such equipment and the increasing use of Western technology by Russian troops.
-0ce674af273d8d3c69e654765cac4024.jpg "Partisan Movement ATESH Disables Power Supply at Russian Weapons Plant in Udmurtia")
