China supplies Russia with drone engines instead of refrigerators

These deliveries have enabled Russian arms manufacturer Kupol to increase production of Harpy A1 strike drones despite US and EU sanctions imposed in October, Reuters reports.

An internal document from Kupol showed that the company signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense to produce more than 6,000 Harpies this year, compared to 2,000 in 2024. The document states that more than 1,500 drones had already been delivered by April.

Long-range drones are used to attack civilian and military targets deep inside Ukrainian territory, with Russia using about 500 such drones per month.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was not aware of the export of parts for Harpy drones and that it controls foreign sales of dual-use goods in accordance with its own legislation and international obligations.

Photo: Channel 24.