Customs records analyzed by Bloomberg show that from January to November 2025, Russia imported drones from Thailand worth $125 million, which accounted for 88%. total sales of these devices by Thailand during this period. Most of the drones came from China. Drone exports from Thailand to Russia have been increasing since 2022, when Putin's army invaded Ukraine. Previously, Thailand bought significantly fewer drones from China and did not send them to Russia.
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Russia's drone imports increased after the invasion of Ukraine
When the war broke out, Russia gradually increased its orders from Thailand, which also rapidly increased its purchases of Chinese drones. This import amounted to USD 186 million in 2025, eight times higher than the value from 2024. Two Thai companies were behind most of these transactions: Skyhub Technologies Ltd., based in Bangkok, registered as a car rental company, and China Thai Corp.
Data from the Big Trade Data trading platform show that in 2025, Skyhub imported drones worth $25 million, and China Thai Corp. in the same year, it imported thousands of drones for $144 million.
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On the Chinese side, the main exporter of drones is their manufacturer Autel Robotics. According to the Israeli website +972 Magazine, his drones were used by the Israeli army in 2025 to attack civilians in the Gaza Strip.
Thailand's Customs Department Director General Phanthong Loykulnanta told Bloomberg that exports of Chinese drones from Thailand were in accordance with domestic law, but admitted that Thailand's Ministry of Commerce was “looking into the issue” and may tighten export controls.
In October, the European Union imposed sanctions on several companies based in Thailand for supporting the Russian military.
