Since the start of a full-scale war in Ukraine, about 70 Chinese exporters have sold more than $12 million worth of drones from 26 different brands and spare parts to the Russian Federation.
According to The New York Times, citing Russian customs data received from the importing company, Chinese companies that supply drones to Russia use chains of intermediaries, which can include more than a dozen firms, to circumvent sanctions. The publication notes:
“Official sales are likely only part of a wider flow of technology being sold through informal channels and from other Russian-friendly countries such as Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Belarus.”
Thus, hundreds of drones of various models are consistently supplied to the Russian Federation, which, according to the NYT, are immediately sent to the combat zone.
A particular problem for the US government is DJI, one of China’s largest drone makers. Sales of UAVs from this company to Russia continue, although back in April 2022, DJI announced that they had suspended deliveries to both Russia and Ukraine.
More Stories
In an unequal fight with a cockroach, a Japanese… blew up his own house
A man with a grenade entered the Iranian consulate in Paris
12 American B-2 Spirit strategic bombers take off from Missouri