Zelenskyy: China Cuts Drone Sales to Ukraine While Supplying Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused China of halting drone sales to Ukraine and other European countries while continuing to supply drones and critical components to Russia, effectively aiding Moscow’s war effort.
“Chinese Mavic is open for Russians but is closed for Ukrainians,” Zelenskyy told reporters, referring to the DJI Mavic quadcopter widely used in modern warfare, The Gaze reports, citing Bloomberg.
Zelenskyy also claimed that Chinese production lines now exist on Russian territory and that Chinese representatives are involved in manufacturing drone systems used by Russian forces.
The Mavic drone, originally intended for civilian use, has been adapted on the battlefield for surveillance and as an attack tool by both Ukraine and Russia. The increasing use of drones has drastically reshaped frontline tactics, especially in long-range strikes.
A European official confirmed that Zelenskyy’s comments align with assessments within the EU, citing evidence that China has also restricted sales of drone components like motor magnets to Western countries while expanding them to Russia.
Despite China’s claims that it has not supplied lethal aid to either side, and that it strictly controls exports of dual-use goods, recent reports indicate that Chinese and Russian firms have jointly worked on attack drone development. Several Chinese companies have been sanctioned by the US and EU for supporting Russia’s drone production.
As Ukraine faces an artillery disadvantage, it has increasingly leaned on drones to close the gap. In March, Kyiv launched its “Drone Line” project, aiming to establish a 15-kilometer kill zone along the front lines using combat drones to block Russian troop movements.
“When someone is asking whether China is helping Russia, how shall we assess these steps?” Zelenskyy asked rhetorically.
As The Gaze previously reported, China plays a critical role in sustaining Russia’s military drone production by supplying approximately 80% of the essential electronics.
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