Can Tech Impact the Russian Invasion?
Green and black circuit board. Credit: Jeremy Waterhouse, Pexels
Tech Companies Suspend Product Sales In Russia
The US government announced sanctions against Russia on February 24th in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The sanctions imposed restrictions halting semiconductors, computers and other dual-use commodities imports into Russia.
Who Will Be Most Impacted
We asked local historian and author Gregg Herken to weigh in on what impact if any this will have on Russia. Mr. Herken is an authority on the Soviet era (vs this current Russian era). He is author of “Brotherhood of the Bomb”. He is also a UCSC alumnus.
“The Soviet tech world was divided between their military-industrial-complex (what the Russians call “the metal eaters”) and the consumer economy. Resources plainly went to the former, not the latter. The Soviet military design bureaus are now companies, run by oligarchs. I’m not sure the situation has changed much for the average Russian — who is not doing well economically.
“The sanctions the West is imposing are more likely to impact the average Russian, but the results will not be felt immediately. Before, what little disposable income the Russian had, could be spent on consumer goods from the West. Those will probably be too expensive now, or at least soon. The result might be more disaffection with Putin. We can hope so.
“Getting back to the divided Russian tech world: there is some evidence of real weakness even with the metal eaters: I’ve read that Russian drones shot down had components from Western hobby stores (maybe even bought on Amazon?) If true, that indicates real weaknesses in the depth and range of the technology that the metal eaters have, domestically. Putin has tried to convince the West that he has new superweapons that cannot be countered: nuclear-powered ramjets, hypersonic missiles, nuclear-armed undersea drones. But this may be just be a cover for the fact that his real defense infrastructure is dangerous weak. As was said during the Soviet-era: The Red Knight is dead within his armor”.
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The sanctions also expanded the Foreign Direct Product Rule which requires all American manufacturers who produce or use US tools or software to obtain a license from the US government before dealing with companies that support the Russian military.
Along with the aviation industry, sportswear companies, and other markets, tech giants like AMD and Intel halted sales of processors to Russia. Apple recently announced that it will be pausing the sale of all their products, including the iPhone, inside Russia and limiting the use of its mobile payment and digital wallet service, Apple Pay. Furthermore, Apple will cease exports into the country in support of Ukraine to put additional economic pressure on Russia.
Microsoft, Meta, and Google recently blocked mobile apps connected to Russian state-sponsored publisher RT from their platforms, and barred RT and other Russian channels from receiving money for ads. Meta and Google both plan on adding safety features in Ukraine and Russia, and are working to improve transparency to clearly identify Russian state controlled media to prevent misinformation.
AirBnB Support for Refugees
Airbnb.org and Airbnb are announcing that Airbnb.org will offer free, short-term housing to up to 100,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine.
These stays will be funded by Airbnb, Inc., donors to the Airbnb.org Refugee Fund, and the generosity of Hosts through Airbnb.org.
Anyone interested in opening their homes to support this effort can learn how to get involved at airbnb.org/help-ukraine.