Classified files show that Moscow transferred to Venezuela an advanced command and surveillance system used only by military powers. The technology allowed Nicolás Maduro to coordinate operations against protests and expand control over security forces.
Leaked documents revealed that Russia secretly supplied advanced military technology to the government of Nicolás Maduro to strengthen its internal control capacity and suppress mass protests.
The transfer involved components of the sophisticated C4ISR system — an acronym for command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance — considered one of the most powerful tools available to modern armed forces.
These systems integrate different military and technological layers into a single operational network, connecting troops, equipment and strategic information in real time.
Only a limited number of countries, such as United States, Russia, China and some NATO members have full versions of C4ISR, the development of which requires immense resources and highly specialized technological know-how.
Exports of this type of technology are extremely rare and usually restricted even to strategic allies.
Therefore, the revelation that Moscow transferred components of the system to Venezuela surprised international analysts and raised concerns about the use of these resources for internal repression.
The Secret Operation: From Project SWORD to Caracas
The first revelation about the export of C4ISR emerged when the hacker group BlackMoon published documents about the transfer of Russian technology to China as part of a project called “SWORD.” The operation drew global attention, and experts from the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) warned that such capabilities could be used in the future in a potential invasion of Taiwan.
However, further investigations conducted by UNITED24 Media showed that China was not the only beneficiary.
Parts of the system, including the APE-MB-E mobile command unit, were sent to Venezuela, where they directly contributed to keeping Maduro in power even in the face of massive protests against his government.
The documents obtained contain internal correspondence between the Russian state-owned arms export company and its suppliers, proving that Moscow offered the systems to Caracas as early as 2018.
The decision represented a strategic exception, as until then similar technologies had only been shared with Belarus, a close ally of Russia.
The use of APE-MB-E in internal control
The APE-MB-E unit, received by Venezuela, is described as a highly equipped mobile command post.
The vehicle contains onboard computers, satellite communications, video surveillance systems and GPS navigation.
This structure allows for the creation of secure communication networks between military and security units, in addition to providing leadership with the ability to monitor troop movements and coordinate actions between police, military, and intelligence agencies in real time.
Although officially described as an “emergency response system,” the equipment can easily be used for centralized control during demonstrations or civil unrest. The analyzed letter confirms the readiness to deliver eight APE-MB-E units to “Customer No. 862″—the codename used for Venezuela—and provides for the development of an adapted version with a Spanish-language interface and documentation.
Contract and financial concessions
The contract, with a 25-month execution period from signing, was formalized by Rosoboronexport, the Russian state arms export monopoly.
Furthermore, the company requested a price reduction for the Venezuelan order, signaling the geopolitical importance of the deal for Moscow.
The transfer of C4ISR technology to Venezuela exposes the depth of military cooperation between the two countries and reinforces the Kremlin’s strategy of supporting allied regimes outside its traditional circle.
For Maduro, the arrival of the system represented a decisive reinforcement in his ability to maintain internal control — even in the face of large-scale popular protests.
