Consoles for Combat? Why the EU Wants to Ban PlayStation and Xbox

The European Union is deliberating on a ban on importing PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles to Russia, due to concerns they might be used for drone operations, reports NewsBox. 

The EU plans to include PlayStation and Xbox consoles in its new sanctions list, citing their potential use in controlling drones. This was stated by the EU's Foreign Affairs representative, Kaja Kallas. She emphasized that video game consoles, as it turns out, may be utilized in combat situations, and the EU is examining all aspects of this issue.

According to Western and Ukrainian intelligence, Russia has started actively using civilian electronics, including semiconductors from household appliances, for the production of weapons, missiles, and drones. This shift became possible due to sanctions that limited access to specialized equipment.

Although Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony halted official sales of gaming consoles in Russia in March 2022, the new EU sanctions might affect suppliers of used devices, which continue to reach the country through third-party nations and illegal channels.

Kallas noted that such measures are necessary to prevent the use of civilian technology for military purposes, which has already become one of Russia's key strategies to circumvent sanctions.