The media analyzed China's trade data on cargo transportation, customs data, UAV supply chains, as well as company statements.
Their findings show that Chinese commercial drone manufacturers have played a key role in expanding production capacity in Russia and are now helping to develop components that have direct application on the battlefield.
Thus, according to Chinese customs data, from July to August, supplies of fiber-optic cables from China to Russia increased almost 10 times. In addition, exports of lithium-ion batteries, which are likely used to power drones, increased significantly over the summer.
At the same time, China restricts Ukraine and its partners’ access to parts and technologies, which gives the Russian Federation an advantage in the war, WP noted.
China claims to be neutral in Russia's war against Ukraine, and Chinese manufacturers, which account for 80% of the global commercial drone market, have reduced direct exports of UAVs to Russia.
As WP pointed out, fiber optic drones have a significant advantage over other UAVs because they are able to avoid electronic warfare interference.
