China assists Russia in refilling its UAV supplies

Since the invasion of Ukraine, China has shipped over $12 million in drones to Russia, which suggests collaboration between the two countries.

The New York Times reported this.

According to the official data of the Russian customs office, which the media’s journalists obtained from their sources, China has sold over $12 million in drones and drone parts to the country within the year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Chinese companies supply UAVs to Russia either for political reasons or simply for profit. They use complex supply chains that may include over a dozen intermediary firms. In addition, in some cases, delivery descriptions may be intentionally vague or underestimate the total volume of goods being sent.

The publication also emphasizes that the official sales are likely only a part of a larger flow of technologies through unofficial channels and other nations friendly to Russia, like Kazakhstan, Pakistan, and Belarus.

This results in a steady supply of new drones to Russia that make their way to the front lines of its war with Ukraine.

On the battlefield, the hovering UAVs often last only a few flights before they are blown out of the skies. Therefore, refilling stockpiles of even the most basic unmanned aerial vehicles has become as critical as the supply of ammunition. After all, in modern warfare, drones are the main advantage for the Russian and Ukrainian troops, who use them for reconnaissance of the battlefield.

In total, nearly 70 Chinese exporters had been selling 26 distinct brands of Chinese drones to Russia since the invasion.

The first largest seller is DJI, the manufacturer of hovering quadcopter drones that have become emblematic of a new type of warfare in Ukraine. Sales of these drones to Russia have continued, even though it has claimed to have suspended shipments to both Russia and Ukraine.

The company’s products made up nearly half of the Chinese drone shipments to Russia, according to the customs data. A portion of them was sold directly by DJI via iFlight Technology, a subsidiary of DJI.

The second-largest brand sold was Autel, a Chinese drone manufacturer with subsidiaries in the United States, Germany, and Italy. Exporters sold nearly $2 million of its drones, with the latest batch shipping in February 2023.

Unlike Ukraine, which can count on support from allied countries and volunteer organizations, Russia is establishing permanent direct deliveries of drones from China.