China secretly sends drone engines to Russia disguised as refrigeration units – Reuters

Reuters reported this, citing three European security officials, as well as contracts, invoices, and customs records.

The deliveries reportedly helped the Russian arms producer, Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant Kupol, ramp up production of the Garpiya-A1 attack drone, despite U.S. and EU sanctions.

An internal document from the plant, reviewed by the agency, shows that Kupol signed a contract with the Russian Defense Ministry to produce over 6,000 Garpiya drones in 2025, up from 2,000 in 2024. The document says that by April, more than 1,500 units had already been delivered.

According to Ukrainian military intelligence, this long-range drone is used to strike both civilian and military targets deep inside Ukrainian territory. Russia reportedly uses around 500 of these drones each month.

Based on invoices, factory correspondence, and shipping documents seen by Reuters, after sanctions were introduced, a new Chinese company, Beijing Xichao International Technology and Trade, started supplying Kupol with L550E engines.

In a statement to Reuters, China’s Foreign Ministry said it was not aware of any exports of Garpiya drone components, adding that China monitors the foreign trade of dual-use goods according to national laws and international commitments.

China has always opposed unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law and are not approved by the UN Security Council, the statement said.

According to three European officials, the Garpiya is based on Iranian Shahed drones but incorporates Chinese technology. Ukrainian military intelligence said the Chinese-made components include the engine, control systems, and navigation gear.

• In February, Estonian intelligence said China was helping Russia produce military drones by providing key Western-made components.