In what may be the first in the grinding Ukraine war, the Ukrainian Intelligence Directorate (GUR) has claimed that all the components used in Russian decoy drones are of Chinese origin. This, if true, would further strengthen repeated allegations by Kyiv that China is fuelling Russia’s war.
The details of this new drone have been published in the Weapon Components section of the War & Sanctions portal, which maintains a database of all foreign components found in Russian weapons.
“All components and blocks [in the new drones] are of Chinese origin,” the portal states, disclosing the first such discovery.
The drone is reportedly similar in appearance to the infamous Shahed-136, particularly in its delta-wing design, albeit smaller. It can carry a warhead weighing up to 15 kilograms, indicating its attack capabilities, as well as its use as a decoy drone.
The deployment of this drone appears to be a part is part of an evolving Russian tactic of overwhelming Ukrainian air defenses by dispatching hundreds of drones. It has deployed more drones to attack Ukraine in a single night than it did during some entire months in 2024.
Ukraine seized two of these drones, which led to the discovery of Chinese components. CUAV Technology, a Chinese company specializing in UAV system modules and applications, is alleged to have provided most of these components, including the flight controller with autopilot, navigation modules, antennas, airspeed sensors, and Pitot tubes.
Interestingly, the company had announced restrictions on the supply of its components to both Ukraine and Russia in 2022 to prevent their use in the war. The GUR added, “However, in 2023, the Russian Federation presented a vertical take-off UAV of allegedly its own design, which turned out to be a CUAV Technology product available on AliExpress.”
Photo from GUR of the Russia CBTS.611000 UAV used in a reconnaissance and decoy role. All of its components are from China.https://t.co/Gt6I9myrZu pic.twitter.com/d0UDfa6Oq9
— Rob Lee (@RALee85) July 22, 2025
Unlike that incident, this new drone has been locally developed in Russia, according to GUR. The claims could not be independently verified, and the CUAV Technology or the Chinese Foreign Ministry has yet to acknowledge the Ukrainian intelligence at the time of writing this report.
Along with CUAV components, these drones also feature the KST servos, a Mayatech RFD900X data link module, a ReadyToSky video transmitter, a Hobbywing power regulator, an HRB Power battery, and an engine and ignition module from DLE (Mile Haoxiang Technology Co., Ltd.).
Russian weapons have long been found to be equipped with foreign components, including those from countries like the US, since the war started. Russia has managed to circumvent sanctions with assistance from partners, including China.
The GUR earlier obtained a Shahed-136 drone that had parts from Iran, Taiwan, and other countries in addition to dozens of US components. Similarly, Russia had earlier managed to procure essential tank components from Japan and Taiwan through intermediaries in China, as reported by the EurAsian Times.
However, this is the first time a Russian drone has been entirely composed of Chinese components. The allegations, if authenticated, are likely to put China’s assistance to Russia and its export regulations under the spotlight again.
China’s Growing Involvement In the Ukraine War
China has consistently presented itself as neutral in the Ukraine War, advocating for a political resolution to the conflict. However, it has consistently been accused of enabling Russia’s war effort through economic ties, and with the export of dual-use technologies and components for arms.
US intelligence officials have alleged in the past that China supplies vital parts for Russian missiles, tanks, and airplanes, including semiconductors and drone equipment. A previous intelligence assessment indicated that approximately 65% of the components for Russia’s Shahed drones are reportedly manufactured in China, including their launch systems.
In recent months, Ukraine has accused China of direct military assistance to Russia’s arms industry. In April 2025, it was reported that China was supplying weapons and gunpowder to Russia, although no direct evidence was provided.
It is alleged that three companies registered in China—Beijing Aviation and Aerospace Xianghui Technology, Rui Jin Machinery, and Zhongfu Shenying Carbon Fiber Xining—were directly or indirectly involved in the production of Iskander missile systems, a short-range ballistic platform widely deployed by Russia since the war began in February 2022.
At the time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated, “We finally have information that China is supplying weapons to the Russian Federation,” mentioning “artillery” without specifying whether he was talking about shells, artillery systems, or both. “We believe that Chinese representatives are engaged in the production of some weapons on the territory of Russia,” he added.
Around the same time, Zelenskyy claimed that 155 Chinese nationals were fighting as mercenaries for Russia, with two captured in eastern Ukraine. China denied state involvement, suggesting these individuals acted independently.
Russia was believed to be shooting down Ukrainian drones with a brand-new Chinese laser system in May 2025. Seen in a video uploaded to Telegram, the system appears to be very similar to one that Beijing has reportedly already provided to Iran.
Ukraine’s foreign intelligence service chief, Oleh Ivashchenko, said in an interview in May 2025 that he could “confirm” China was supplying 20 Russian military factories with critical supplies and equipment.
More recently, two Chinese nationals in Kyiv were arrested in early July on suspicion of attempting to steal classified military material associated with the Neptune cruise missile system, which sank Russia’s Black Sea Fleet flagship, Moskva.
This was the first arrest of Chinese citizens for espionage in Ukraine since 2022, as also reported by the EurAsian Times. Subsequently, a Bloomberg report published earlier this month stated that a Russian firm, Aero-HIT, had partnered with Chinese suppliers and engineers to mass-produce combat drones now used on the frontline.
China’s assistance to Russia has expanded steadily since the Ukraine War started in February 2022. The war has deepened China-Russia ties, with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin aligning strategically against Western influence.
China’s economic support, including the purchase of Russian energy, helps Russia evade Western sanctions. In response, the US, EU, and NATO have condemned China’s dual-use exports and imposed sanctions, with US senators proposing 500% tariffs on countries buying Russian oil, which would impact China.
China has made it clear that it does not want the war to end.
In an unusual development, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reportedly told the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, on July 3 that the country cannot afford for Russia to lose the war in Ukraine, amid fears that the US would shift focus towards Beijing. The alleged military assistance is likely to be a part of that effort.
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