Toronto company sanctioned over allegations owner supplied Russia’s drone program

Anton Trofimov has been accused of being a key supplier of parts for drones used to attack Ukraine

A Toronto company has been sanctioned by the United States for allegedly supplying Russia with electronics used to manufacture drones for Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Anton Sergeyevich Trofimov, a Russian national with homes in Toronto, was sanctioned on Friday along with his Canadian-registered business and his Hong Kong firm.

The 41-year-old’s company Asia Pacific Links Ltd. is allegedly one of the major suppliers of electronics used to manufacture Orlan-10 drones for the Russian military.

The Orlan-10 is a medium-range reconnaissance drone that Russian forces have used extensively in Ukraine to pinpoint targets for artillery and rocket strikes.

Canadian officials declined to say whether Trofimov had also been added to Canada’s sanctions list.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a new round of sanctions against Russia at the G7 summit in Japan on Friday.

A statement from the prime minister’s office said some of the newly sanctioned individuals and entities were “linked to Russian companies that provide military technology and know-how to Russia’s armed forces.”

In announcing the new sanctions, the U.S. Treasury said they had been imposed in coordination with the G7, and were meant to “further degrade the Russian Federation’s capacity to wage war against Ukraine.”