Surge in Chinese Drone Components Highlights Beijing’s “No Limits” Partnership with Moscow
Exports from China of fiber optic cables and lithium-ion batteries to Russian drone manufacturers have risen sharply, demonstrating Beijing's commitment to the principle of “unlimited partnership” with Moscow.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to a statement by political analyst Roman Steblivskyi of the Economic Security Council of Ukraine, citing The Washington Post.
According to the transparency company Sayari, the Russian company Rustakt LLC imported more than $577 million worth of components from China between July 2023 and December 2024, including engines, batteries, and electrical panels.
Although EU sanctions against Rustakt, imposed in December 2024, have restricted direct deliveries, Chinese suppliers remain outside the scope of European restrictions and have not commented to journalists.
“This case demonstrates how gaps in export control coordination allow sanctioned Russian companies to continue to obtain critical components through Chinese partners,” wrote Steblitskyi.
Moreover, exports of fiber optic cables from China to Russia surged nearly tenfold from July to August, reaching 328,000 miles after record shipments of 119,000 and 130,000 miles in May and June.
Unlike traditional FPV drones, fiber-optic drones use ultra-thin glass cables that resist radio interception and jamming, enabling them to fly over 12 miles and strike Ukrainian command centers, logistics, and jamming equipment behind the front lines.
In addition to supplying fiber optic cables, China is actively providing expertise to the Russian drone factory IEMZ Kupol, which is under sanctions. Chinese specialists visit the factory to assist in the development and testing of strike and reconnaissance drones, including the Harpy-3 and thousands of strike drones based on the Iranian Shahed, using Chinese components. According to Kyiv, about 500 such drones are used against Ukraine every month.
Documents show that China is supplying drones through Russian intermediaries such as TSK Vektor, despite official statements that it is not supplying lethal weapons. Furthermore, Chinese experts are helping to assemble drones, train personnel, and work on flight control systems and new engines, making China a key element in Russia's military supply chain.
Read more on The Gaze: Why does China increase the supply of dual-use goods to Russia?