Military deliveries to Russia put end to China's development: expert on analog of Iran's Shahed-136

Oleksandr Kovalenko, a military and political observer of the Information Resistance group, said this, commenting on the information that China has developed an analog of the Iranian Shahed-136 and will supply it to Russia. 

Oleksandr Kovalenko recalled that back in August 2023, China presented its Sunflower 200 'kamikaze' drone at the Russian military exhibition Army-2023, which was very similar to the Shahed-136, but with slightly better characteristics. In particular, it weighed 175 kg instead of 240 kg like the Shahed-136.

"And now a question for the experts. If China has had a kamikaze drone similar to the Shahed-136 for at least a year, why hasn't Russia used it in Ukraine yet? That's right. Because China has a policy of not supporting Russia militarily," the observer said.

He recalled the May statements by British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps that China was supplying Russia with lethal weapons. However, as of today, not a single Chinese missile, ATGM, or tank has been delivered to Russia. 

"China is not Iran. China is not North Korea. China is a country whose development, prosperity, and ambitions directly depend on its economy, and it depends on exports to Western countries, primarily the United States and the EU. Russia's military supplies put an end to China's development, and China is well aware of this," Kovalenko argued. 

He emphasized that a military alliance between China and Russia and direct supplies of Chinese weapons and equipment to Russia is the worst thing imaginable. 

"But this has never happened before, and I hope it never will. So don't rush to sprinkle ashes on your head, but this does not cancel the cleaning of the machine gun," Kovalenko added.

• On Tuesday, July 2, Bloomberg reported, citing anonymous comments from officials, that last year Chinese and Russian companies held talks on cooperation to copy Iran's Shahed-136 drone. According to the publication, the development and testing of the drone has allegedly already begun in preparation for shipment to Russia. In contrast, US officials said that China is restraining direct arms and artillery shipments, which will almost certainly lead to more decisive action, such as sanctions.