Die Story im Ersten
The Russia Route: Are the Sanctions Pointless?
2026 • E6 May 27, 2026 44m
Germany officially stands firmly on Ukraine's side. Sanctions are intended to prevent Western technology from ending up in Russian weapons, including drones. But are they really working? In Kyiv, experts from Ukraine’s military intelligence service present filmmaker Michael Höft with surprising findings: numerous components from German companies have been discovered in downed drones - so-called dual-use technology. How can these parts still reach Russia despite the sanctions? To find out, an NDR team follows the trail of leaked Russian customs documents and uncovers an extensive network of intermediaries operating across Central Asia.