A JAPANESE Nikkei Asia investigation says china is exporting dual-use drones explicitly for Russia's invasion of the Ukraine - despite Beijing denials, reports Hong Kong's Asia Times.
Russian companies imported between December 2022 and April 2023 at least 37 Chinese drones worth US$103,000 that were designated in customs clearance papers for its 'special military operation,' the Russian government's official term for the Ukraine war, the Nikkei investigation reported.
The investigation also claims Russian firms paid Chinese companies $1.2 million for devices that detect and jam drones and $36,077 for 10 rugged personal computers with paperwork designating all of the items for use in the 'special military operation' to expedite customs procedures.
Nikkei Asia also claims that China exported over 30,000 drones to Russia from March 2022 to May 2023 worth over $2 million, with Russian import records not using the phrase 'special military operation' until December 2022, shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his government to increase the provision of war supplies.
China continues to deny that its drones are being used on the battlefields of Ukraine, which if confirmed could trigger Western sanctions.
'China calls on all relevant parties to work together to strengthen controls, prevent all types of drones being used on the battlefield in conflict areas, and jointly promote international peace and regional stability,' said a Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesman quoted by Nikkei.
In May 2022, Asia Times reported that Chinese drone manufacturer DJI, the world's largest, had suspended its operations in Russia and Ukraine. DJI released several statements reiterating its position, saying it suspended its businesses pending an internal review of compliance requirements in various regions.
China's DJI is the world's largest commercial drone manufacturer by market share, with global operations spanning the Americas, Europe and Asia.
SeaNews Turkey
Russian companies imported between December 2022 and April 2023 at least 37 Chinese drones worth US$103,000 that were designated in customs clearance papers for its 'special military operation,' the Russian government's official term for the Ukraine war, the Nikkei investigation reported.
The investigation also claims Russian firms paid Chinese companies $1.2 million for devices that detect and jam drones and $36,077 for 10 rugged personal computers with paperwork designating all of the items for use in the 'special military operation' to expedite customs procedures.
Nikkei Asia also claims that China exported over 30,000 drones to Russia from March 2022 to May 2023 worth over $2 million, with Russian import records not using the phrase 'special military operation' until December 2022, shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his government to increase the provision of war supplies.
China continues to deny that its drones are being used on the battlefields of Ukraine, which if confirmed could trigger Western sanctions.
'China calls on all relevant parties to work together to strengthen controls, prevent all types of drones being used on the battlefield in conflict areas, and jointly promote international peace and regional stability,' said a Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesman quoted by Nikkei.
In May 2022, Asia Times reported that Chinese drone manufacturer DJI, the world's largest, had suspended its operations in Russia and Ukraine. DJI released several statements reiterating its position, saying it suspended its businesses pending an internal review of compliance requirements in various regions.
China's DJI is the world's largest commercial drone manufacturer by market share, with global operations spanning the Americas, Europe and Asia.
SeaNews Turkey
