Russia develops new 'kamikaze' drone with Chinese engine - media

Reuters reported the information, citing sources in European intelligence.

According to the outlet, intelligence gathered from the contract for the production of the new UAV, company correspondence on the production process, and financial documents indicate that the Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant (IEMZ) Kupol of the Russian Federation produced more than 2,500 Harpy drones from July 2023 to July 2024.

Sources told Reuters that the Garpiya UAVs are being used against military and civilian targets in Ukraine, causing damage to critical infrastructure and civilian and military casualties.

Samuel Bendett, adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, said in a comment to the outlet that if the information about the production of the Garpiya is confirmed, it will mean that Russia is moving away from dependence on Iranian drone development.

"If this is happening, it could indicate that Russia can now rely more on domestic development as well as, obviously, on China, since both sides in this war depend on many Chinese components for drone production," he said.

• Ukraine's Ministry of Energy believes that Russia is deliberately sending missiles and Shaheds over the territory of Ukrainian nuclear power plants and has informed the IAEA.