Chicago Ukrainians protest at Tech Show: “Stop supplying Russian army”

The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), Illinois Division, staged protests at the International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago on September 9 and 11. The rally was initiated by Chicago activist Vasyl Stetsyuk, a seasoned industry expert who attends similar exhibitions every year.

Community members called for manufacturers of advanced automated machinery, including Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines and their components, to cease their exports to Russia. Activists highlighted that this equipment is utilized in the production of missiles which are then used by the occupiers to target civilians and destroy critical infrastructure such as hospitals and schools, thereby perpetuating aggression against Ukraine.

Protesters urged manufacturers to carefully verify the recipients of their equipment and called on the US to enforce strict penalties for violations of sanctions. Additionally, they appealed to the US National Security Council to prioritize CNC machines in its sanctions policy, emphasizing the critical role these machines play in the manufacture of weaponry used against Ukraine.

“By denying access to modern manufacturing tools, Western allies can use a cost-effective way to ensure that Moscow is unable to sustain its current military production levels and, therefore, will be unable to continue its war of attrition against Ukraine,” UCCA, Illinois Division, stressed.

CNC machines are used for producing advanced weaponry such as missiles, aircraft, and radars. At least 70% of all Russian CNC machines are imported, primarily from the US, Germany, and Japan. Over 80% of all CNC machines end up in Russia’s military production facilities.

“A penalty should be used as a warning to stop. Despite sanctions, russia continues to buy high-precision machine tools and spare parts from Western firms, enabling it to commit the most atrocious war crimes. Hundreds were killed over the past seven days including over 50 people killed in the city of Poltava, seven people, including a family of four were killed in western city of Lviv, and many more,” the community said.

“Western companies that are bypassing sanctions while supplying machines, parts and tools to russia are partaking in the war crimes. They value profit over human life,” UCCA, Illinois Division, concluded.