Chinese Firms Supply £47 Million in Drone Parts to Russia

Chinese companies provided at least £47 million in drone parts and materials to sanctioned Russian firms between 2023 and 2024. According to a report by The Telegraph, these supplies included microchips, aircraft engines, camera lenses, carbon fibre yarns, and metal alloys. These components are essential for the domestic drone production used by the Federal Government of Russia in its strikes against Ukraine.

Approximately £10.7 million of these exports were delivered to companies in the Russian town of Alabuga. These firms are linked to the production of Shahed kamikaze drones, which are based on Iranian designs. The transfers occurred while Russia was establishing large-scale infrastructure for its drone program.

The report identified 97 Chinese suppliers that facilitated these transfers, indicating a broad network of procurement used to bypass sanctions and sustain Russian military operations.