Report: EU Plans to Ban Sales of Video Game Controllers in Russia Due to Military Use

Key Takeaways The EU is considering a ban on the sale of video game controllers and consoles to Russia due to concerns over their military use.

Gaming consoles and controllers are being reviewed as products that could assist Russia in its war efforts, with evidence suggesting they are used to operate drones.

The proposed ban would also include flight simulator joysticks and other devices capable of drone operation.

The European Union is considering a ban on the sale of video game controllers and consoles to Russia amid concerns that they are being used for military purposes.

According to reports from the Financial Times, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated that officials are reviewing various products that could be assisting Russia in its war efforts and plan to include them in the sanctions list. Among the items under scrutiny are gaming consoles and controllers, as evidence suggests they are being repurposed to operate drones.

EU Considers Blocking Sale of Gaming Controllers to Russia

The proposed ban would cover not only controllers but also flight simulator joysticks and other input devices capable of drone operation. While this plan is meant to limit Russia’s access to this technology, experts say it might not make a big difference because many people in Russia already use Chinese-made controllers that can be easily bought online.

Major gaming companies like Microsoft and Sony stopped selling their gaming consoles in Russia in 2022 after the country’s invasion of Ukraine. However, this new plan is aimed at second-hand sellers who are still providing gaming hardware in Russia.

This comes after Russia’s unsuccessful attempt to create its own gaming system. In March 2024, Russian officials announced plans to compete with Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S by making a local gaming console and cloud gaming service. However, according to TechSpot, the Russian government has admitted that its homegrown console will not be on the same level as current-generation systems like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S.

At the moment, the ban is still a proposal and must be approved by all EU countries before it can take effect. In the coming months, it remains to be seen whether the European Union will formally enforce the ban or if it will undergo further revisions.