China's shadow: 80% of Russian drone tech from Beijing

Chinese companies play a crucial role in supplying electronics for Russian drones. About 80% of the key components come from China, as stated by Oleh Iwaschenko, head of the Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service, in an interview with Ukrinform.

Iwaschenko emphasised that China supplies not only electronics but also gunpowder, specialised chemicals, and machinery to at least 20 Russian defence plants. These supplies are critical for the Russian arms industry.

In the years 2024-2025, Ukrainian intelligence recorded at least five cases of aviation cooperation between China and Russia. This cooperation included the supply of equipment, spare parts, and technical documentation, indicating deep technological collaboration.

In six cases, large shipments of specialised chemicals were documented. Chinese companies disguise the true nature of these shipments through intermediaries, false labels, and proxy networks, enabling the covert delivery of microelectronics needed by Russia.

The mentioned components are needed by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation for producing many types of weapons used on the front. These include drones, which the Russians wish to produce in greater numbers. The army uses this equipment to conduct regular mass shelling of Ukraine.

It is also worth noting that on 17th May, China launched six satellites for Spacety, a company previously sanctioned by the United States for providing satellite images to the Wagner Group, a Russian paramilitary organisation. The launch occurred from the Jiuquan Satellite Centre in northwestern China.

These actions demonstrate how China supports the Russian arms industry, which holds significant implications for the global balance of power. The Ukrainian intelligence continues to monitor these activities to understand their full scope and impact on the international situation.