China blocks Mavic drone sales to Ukraine while boosting exports to Russia — Bloomberg
Mavic 3 Pro drone (Getty Images)
China has sharply reduced the supply of Mavic drones and their components to Ukraine and Western countries, while increasing exports to Russia, Bloomberg reports.
According to the publication, during a conversation with journalists, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the Chinese Mavic drone is available to Russians but not to Ukrainians.
Zelenskyy explained that China has stopped selling drones to Kyiv and other European countries, while continuing supplies to Russia. He also pointed out that there are production lines on Russian territory where Chinese representatives are present.
The Mavic is a popular quadcopter typically used for aerial photography, but it can be adapted to carry explosives.
On the battlefield, the Mavic is known to be used both for reconnaissance and for attacking enemy targets.
The publication notes that drones have now become a central element of the war in Ukraine, radically changing the frontline tactics used by both sides due to their ability to limit offensive maneuvers.
An anonymous European official stated that Zelenskyy's remarks align with his own assessments.
The official added that China has likely also reduced shipments of certain drone components — such as magnets used in motors — to Western buyers. At the same time, however, Beijing has reportedly increased supplies to Russia.
In recent days, the Ukrainian president claimed that Chinese entities are manufacturing drones at Russian facilities.
Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine has concrete evidence of Chinese nationals working at drone production plants in Russia. According to him, these UAVs are then used by Russian forces to launch attacks on Ukraine.
More details on this and the president's statements can be found in the RBC-Ukraine report.
China-Russia ties
Despite strong trade relations between Moscow and Beijing, China has repeatedly denied supplying weapons to either side.
However, since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, there has been substantial evidence that China is helping Russia circumvent Western sanctions.
In particular, in September 2024, reports indicated that the West had evidence of Chinese companies secretly supplying weapons to Russia.
Earlier, Ukraine's presidential envoy for sanctions policy, Vladyslav Vasyuk, told Reuters that about 60% of the foreign components found in Russian weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine come from China.
Moreover, this spring, President Zelenskyy stated that China is providing weapons to Russia.
