DJI Reseller Aeromotus in Dubai targeted with OFAC sanctions

On April 12th, the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is restricting Russia’s access to the international financial system by targeting facilitators and their businesses, including DJI reseller, Aeromotus in Dubai.

Working alongside the UK, they are focusing on Alisher Usmanov’s facilitation network, who faces sanctions in multiple jurisdictions. The action aims to disrupt Russia’s import of critical technologies for its war against Ukraine, with 25 individuals and 29 entities designated in 20 jurisdictions.

The U.S. Department of State is also designating entities in the Russian defense sector and those supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine, as well as entities linked to Rosatom. Concurrently, the U.S. Department of Commerce is adding 28 entities to its Entity List.

Treasury sanctions DJI Reseller Aeromotus

In a press release, the Treasury explained:

Aeromotus Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Trading LLC (Aeromotus) is a UAE-based authorized dealer of PRC-based Da-Jiang Innovations Science & Technology Co., (DJI), an entity identified pursuant to E.O. 13959. Aeromotus has sent several shipments of DJI technology, including quadcopter Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and robotics technology, to Russian importers since the beginning of Russia’s war in Ukraine. UAVs of the brand shipped by Aeromotus to Russia have been documented in use by Russia’s military in its operations against Ukraine. Aeromotus was designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the technology and aerospace sectors of the Russian Federation economy.

In response, drone maker DJI issued the following statement:

DJI, the world’s leading consumer and enterprise drone manufacturer, has had no business relationship with the recently sanctioned Aeromotus Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Trading LLC (Aeromotus) since December 2022.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) reported on Wednesday, April 12th that the UAE-based Aeromotus had exported DJI products to Russia since the beginning of the war, and called Aeromotus an “authorized dealer” of DJI. Aeromotus is no longer an authorized dealer of DJI.

DJI voluntarily suspended all sales to and business in both Russia and Ukraine as of April 26, 2022 and contractually forbid any sales by dealers to either country and for combat use.

We have thorough protocols in place to ensure we do not violate US or other jurisdiction’s sanctions implemented against third parties or territories.

DJI is committed to providing the best-in-class consumer and enterprise drone technology which is not designed or intended for military use. DJI will act on any information of authorized dealers violating our policy.

Photo courtesy of Aerotomus.