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According to the Russian press, Beijing has actually stopped deliveries of these devices to Moscow when they are likely to be used for military purposes.
Published on September 20, 2023 12:46 p.m. Updated on September 20, 2023 12:46 p.m
Reading time: 1 min
Representatives of diplomatic missions in Ukraine are investigating a downed Russian drone in Kiev. (SERGEI SUPINSKY / AFP)
Will the air battle change direction? As drones have become indispensable in the war between Russia and Ukraine, they form the heart of both armies’ arsenals. These devices, as impressive as they are easy to use, are used for reconnaissance, to drop explosives or even as kamikaze devices… Hence the desire of both camps to have more and more efficient devices at their disposal.
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While Russia could count on Iran’s help to produce large kamikaze drones, it appears it can no longer count on China for lighter drones. Although Russian and Chinese leaders may claim that their cooperation is limitless, Beijing still appears to be very cautious when its main customer, the United States, sends it a warning, as it did this summer. Washington then accused Beijing of allowing drones officially intended for civilian, agricultural or industrial purposes to pass through to Russia, but which could easily be diverted for military purposes.
Spare parts not found
This summer, China announced restrictions on the export of drones and their components. The Chinese government has not officially named any country affected, but according to the Russian daily Kommersant, the effects of these restrictions are already being felt on the Russian side. Several drone dealers say their inventories have been exhausted, and some Russian manufacturers are reportedly experiencing shortages of components that cannot be found in Russia. And even third countries like Kazakhstan, through which Chinese drones flew, are now refusing to send them to Russia…
Drones have become such a problem in Russia that in recent months several malls abandoned by Western brands have been converted into drone factories.
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