China Allegedly Supplied Drones to Russia Despite Denials

China has sold drones to Russia, show documents that the news agency Bloomberg has taken part of. In the documents it appears how sensitive technology can be transported from China to Russia – even though the Chinese regime claims that the country does not deliver equipment to Russia or Ukraine.

» Published: July 08 2025 at 07:19

China Allegedly Supplied Drones to Russia Despite Denials
Photo: Kateryna Klochko/AP/TT

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The document includes, among other things, a memo from the company Aero-Hit and correspondence with Russian government officials. Aero-Hit has, with the help of financing from the Russian state, collaborated with Chinese actors to build drones in large-scale production, according to Bloomberg.

In June last year, the US Department of Finance imposed sanctions on the Russian company Aero-Hit, and stated that drones of the type Veles, which the company manufactures, "have been used by Russian forces based in Cherson against Ukrainian targets". Veles is a type of drone that allows pilots to follow its path on the battlefield in real-time through either a monitor or VR glasses. The model is often used in Russian attacks.

According to a letter from June 16 this year, Aero-Hit has collaborated with the Chinese company Autel Robotics - one of China's largest companies in drone production - since early 2023. Due to sanctions, the collaboration was temporarily suspended, but contact was re-established at the end of 2024.

Bloomberg has sought Aero-Hit, the Russian Ministry of Defense, and China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a comment, but to no avail.

Autel Robotics writes in an email to the news agency that they have never collaborated with Aero-Hit.

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By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers
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