The EU will prohibit the export of gaming consoles to Russia.

The newspaper quotes the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. According to him, gaming consoles are "apparently" being used by the Russian military to control drones.

The three largest gaming console manufacturers—American company Microsoft and Japanese corporations Nintendo and Sony—halted direct sales in Russia in early March 2022. The EU's ban will target traders who ship consoles to Russia, including sellers of used devices, as reported by FT.

The EU itself does not manufacture gaming consoles. Drones are not controlled by gaming consoles; however, gamepads (joysticks) and virtual reality headsets for gaming consoles, most often produced in China, can be used in control systems.

• According to data from "M.Video-Eldorado," Russians purchased 1.02 million consoles worth a total of 22.3 billion rubles over the nine months of 2024. Former "Nintendo Russia" director Yasha Khaddaji stated to RBC that the consoles imported into the country do not cross EU borders.