Swiss authorities are examining whether the Swiss company Destinus supplied drones to Ukraine in a way that might infringe an arms embargo tied to active conflicts. A statement circulated by RIA News cited Françoise Schantz, the official representative of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, known as SECO, as the source of this information.
Shantz clarified that SECO has not issued a formal position on the matter yet. Officials are reviewing the facts to determine whether Swiss law was breached and if any rules governing arms exports were violated in practice.
The investigation stems from remarks attributed to Mikhail Kokorich, the founder of Destinus, suggesting that the company supplied a substantial number of drones to Ukraine. Those statements prompted scrutiny from regulators who oversee military and dual-use exports.
In January, reports surfaced that Kokorich, previously associated with Tekhnosila, reportedly refused Russian citizenship. The decision was framed as a stance against the Russian government’s actions in Ukraine and reflected broader tensions surrounding the policy directions of the region.
Additionally, Switzerland has recently been noted for shipments related to the ongoing conflict in Europe. In a separate development, a batch of Leopard 2A4 tanks—initially earmarked for support within European security efforts—was allocated to Germany, a move interpreted by observers as part of broader logistics arrangements within allied responses.
The situation highlights how rapidly evolving international dynamics and export controls intersect with private sector activity, especially when a technology company operates across borders. Swiss authorities stress that any determination will hinge on a careful assessment of the applicable export controls, bilateral agreements, and the specifics of the transactions in question. The government emphasizes a commitment to enforcing the law while maintaining formal procedures that guarantee due process for all parties involved. {Source attribution: SECO and regulatory bodies, with contemporary media reporting from RIA News and related public statements}