China Boosts Russia’s Drone Advantage in Ukraine Conflict, Kyiv Reports

In a significant escalation of drone warfare, China is aiding Russia in outpacing Ukraine’s drone production, despite Beijing’s official denials, according to a senior Ukrainian official. This development, reported by POLITICO, highlights a growing technological arms race in the ongoing conflict, with both nations heavily relying on drones to replace traditional artillery.

China’s Role in Russia’s Drone Surge

Ukrainian officials have accused China of supplying Russia with critical drone components, giving Moscow a strategic edge. Oleh Aleksandrov, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service, told POLITICO:

“Chinese manufacturers provide them with hardware, electronics, navigation, optical and telemetry systems, engines, microcircuits, processor modules, antenna field systems, control boards, navigation.”

This support has enabled Russia to scale up its drone production significantly. While Ukraine produces about 100 long-range drones daily, Russia has ramped up to 300 per day and aims for 500, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In 2024, Russia boosted its long-range drone production from 15,000 to over 30,000, alongside 2 million small tactical drones.

Beijing has denied these claims, labeling Ukrainian protests as “baseless accusations and political manipulation.” However, Zelenskyy pointed out a stark disparity in access:

“The Chinese Mavic is open to the Russians, and it is closed to the Ukrainians. They simply closed it for Europe and for Ukraine, including for the EU. And for the Russians, there is still an opportunity to buy drones on the Chinese market.”

Ukraine’s Drone Efforts Under Pressure

Ukraine has made strides in drone technology, producing 1 million tactical drones in 2024 and aiming for 2.5 million tactical and 30,000 long-range strike drones in 2025. In May 2025, Ukrainian drones destroyed 89,000 Russian targets, with 80 percent of damage to Russian equipment and personnel attributed to drones, per Pavlo Palisa, deputy head of Zelenskyy’s office.

However, Russia’s advancements are closing the gap. General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukraine’s top commander, emphasized the urgency:

“The enemy is copying the experience of the Ukrainian Defense Forces and is actively scaling its unmanned units. Therefore, we must maintain the pace of development and constantly increase our capabilities to be one step ahead.”

Technological Innovations and Challenges

Russia is enhancing its drones with fiber optic cables, making them immune to electronic countermeasures. This technology enabled the Kremlin to disrupt Ukraine’s logistics in the Kursk region, pushing Ukrainian troops out of seized territory during last year’s offensive.

Ukraine’s army commander, Andriy, noted the difficulty: “So we have to use different acoustic and other means to trace those drones.” Additionally, Russia is improving its radio electronic warfare, with Andriy stating, “At our part of the front, radio frequencies change every two weeks. So, when the state supplies us with drones, only about 20 percent of them are usable.”

Russia’s production hubs, including the Kupol plant in Izhevsk—located 1,800 kilometers (1,118 miles) northeast of Ukraine—produce long-range Garpiya drones. The Kremlin aims to manufacture 30,000 long-range drones and 30,000 decoy drones in 2025 to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses.

Implications for Drone Warfare

The reliance on drones reflects a broader shift in modern warfare, with Zelenskyy noting, “They are so cheap and effective, they are used daily as artillery shells.”

Ukraine is countering with interceptor drones and unconventional tactics, such as smuggling drone launchers into Russia to target airfields. However, the technological disparity, fueled by China’s support for Russia, poses a significant challenge. Andriy underscored the stakes: “In this war of drones, only the most dynamic side will win.”

This intensifying drone race underscores the critical role of international partnerships and technological innovation in shaping the conflict’s outcome, with global implications for drone warfare strategies.