#United States #Texas #Texas Instruments #AMD #Intel

Landmark Lawsuit Filed by Watts Law Firm

In a groundbreaking move, the Watts Law Firm LLP, in collaboration with BakerHostetler LLP, has filed a significant lawsuit in Texas state court. This legal action is on behalf of Ukrainian civilians who suffered devastating consequences due to Russian air assaults executed with missiles and drones that allegedly contained U.S.-manufactured semiconductor and navigation technologies.

Allegations Against Major Corporations

The suit emphasizes that microchips from prominent companies such as Texas Instruments, AMD, Intel, and Mouser Electronics were found in Iranian and Russian arms used for attacks that killed numerous civilians. These assaults targeted residential buildings, playgrounds, and even a children's hospital, despite existing U.S. export bans designed to prevent American technology from falling into the hands of hostile nations.

Investigations conducted by respected entities, including PBS, Reuters, and various international bodies, have corroborated the presence of U.S.-origin components in Russian weapons systems. The plaintiffs in this case argue that these components contributed to the precision strikes that inflicted heavy civilian casualties.

The Iran-Russia Drone Pipeline

A primary focus of the lawsuit is the established drone supply chain between Iran and Russia, which became a key element in Russia's military strategy. The drones employed in the early phases of Russia's invasion, particularly the Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 models manufactured by Iran, played an instrumental role in targeting Ukrainian urban areas.

The lawsuit alleges that the aforementioned technology corporations were aware for years that their products were being repurposed for use within Russian and Iranian military infrastructure. Yet, they continued to supply these components via dubious distribution channels, many of which involve shell companies and intermediaries operating predominantly in China and Hong Kong. The lawsuit contends that these companies acted with gross negligence by:

• - Failing to conduct proper investigations into high-risk distributors.
• - Persisting in shipments to areas notorious for facilitating diversion.
• - Disregarding government advisories and ongoing public investigations that documented these unlawful uses.
• - Maintaining contact with intermediaries linked to sanctioned organizations.
• - Neglecting to strengthen compliance measures despite being aware of the imminent risk of civilian harm.

Documented Attacks and Civilian Casualties

The legal complaint includes instances where weapons systems utilizing U.S. technology have led to verified civilian casualties:

• - Rzhyshchiv, Ukraine: A deadly Iranian-made Shahed-136 drone strike in March 2023 resulted in numerous fatalities among residents.
• - Uman: Russian Kh-101 cruise missiles struck a residential building.
• - Kryvyi Rih: Missile attacks on June 13, 2023, and April 4, 2025, included a cluster munition strike on a playground.
• - Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital: A Kh-101 missile strike on July 8, 2024, tragically killed and injured both patients and hospital staff.

Mikal Watts, a leading figure in the Watts Law Firm, stated, “These were not military targets; they were homes, hospitals, and playgrounds. And they were impacted by drones and missiles powered by U.S.-made chips.”

The plaintiffs in this case include families who have endured tragic losses, survivors with life-altering injuries, and individuals grappling with severe emotional trauma. In addition to seeking compensatory and exemplary damages, the lawsuit aspires to enhance corporate accountability within the global technology supply chain.

Broader Implications of the Lawsuit

This lawsuit highlights ongoing concerns regarding the responsibilities of major tech companies in ensuring that their products do not contribute to human rights violations. As the case unfolds, it has the potential to reshape corporate practices related to compliance and oversight, particularly regarding exports to regions identified as high-risk.

As the defendants deny any wrongdoing, the lawsuits are based on allegations found in the court filings and supported by existing investigative work. This legal undertaking represents not only a pursuit of justice for those affected but also a call for more transparent corporate governance in the technology sector.

Mikal Watts has dedicated his career to championing victims of corporate negligence. With a track record of supporting over 200,000 clients, his firm aims to ensure that the voices of those harmed are heard and acknowledged by the largest corporations globally.