Russia allegedly purchases Chinese drones since 2022. This was revealed by newly acquired Russian customs records. 

(Photo: STR/AFP via Getty ) This picture taken on May 12, 2015, shows an unmanned drone aircraft being tested during a campaign for disaster prevention and reduction in Beijing. China forbids any flights, manned or unmanned, without prior approval from the air force, civil aviation authorities, and the local air traffic control bureau.

Ever since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began, China continued to deny providing military equipment to Moscow. Chinese officials claimed that they never sold weapons to the Russian government for use in the invasion. But, it looks like China is really selling militarized drones to the Russian government. 

Russia Allegedly Importing Chinese Drones Since 2022

According to Nikkei Asia's investigation, they acquired some Russian customs records, which were provided by anonymous sources. 

(Photo: ANATOLII STEPANOV/AFP via Getty Images) A Ukrainian serviceman fires at a military drone during night combat against Russia-backed separatists on the front line near Novolugansk in the Donetsk region on November 14, 2019. - Although the Ukrainian army and Moscow-backed separatists this week completed a troop pullback in a key area, sporadic clashes still erupt along a volatile frontline between the warring sides in a five-year-old conflict that has claimed more than 13,000 lives.

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Based on these documents, Russian companies have been purchasing drones from China between December 2022 and Apr. 2023. 

At least 37 UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) of China were purchased by Moscow during the said period. 

The customs records stated that these drones cost a total of $103,000. The documents added that the Chinese drones were bought by the Russian government for special military operations. 

If this is true, then the statement made by China in April could be considered a lie. "China calls on all relevant parties to work together to strengthen controls, and prevent all types of drones from being used on battlefields in conflict areas," said China Ministry of Commerce's spokesperson.  

Even DJI Drones are Used by Russia

Aside from militarized drones, the Russian government is also believed to be using hobbyist Chinese drones for its military activities in Ukraine. 

This is specifically the commercial drones manufactured by DJI; a Chinese drone company headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong. 

NPR reported that before the Russia-Ukraine conflict began, DJI drones were only used for experimental purposes and playtime. 

However, when the invasion started, Russians and Ukrainians decided to modify DJI drones for their military missions. 

Faine Greenwood, a Boston-based researcher, even claimed that Russian and Ukrainian troops are using modified DJI drones to drop explosives. 

Of course, DJI denies they allow their drones to be modified for harmful activities. 

"We have a longstanding prohibition on selling our products for combat use," said the tech company. 

If you want to learn more about how DJI drones are used by Russia and Ukraine for military purposes, you can click this link.  

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