Estonia states that China is smuggling drone parts from Western militaries to Russia.
Around 80 percent of Russia’s Western drone parts were smuggled via China, as reported by Estonian intelligence.
The Chinese regime is aiding Russia in its conflict with Ukraine by permitting China’s private sector to smuggle Western drone parts to Russia, according to Estonia’s Foreign Intelligence Service’s statement on Wednesday.
The Estonian report highlights that although the Chinese regime has taken some steps to limit its state-owned and state-associated entities from supplying sanctioned goods to Russia, it still supports bilateral cooperation and covert transfers of dual-use components through private companies, potentially reducing Russia’s reliance on Western suppliers.
According to Kaupo Rosin, director general of the service, the Chinese interests are focused on preventing Russia from losing the war in Ukraine as it would signify a victory for the United States, China’s main rival, and hinder China’s aspirations to reshape the rules-based international order in favor of authoritarian regimes.
“China portrays Ukraine as a pawn in a game of global powers, implying its allegiance to Russia’s sphere of influence. China’s viewpoint would likely be similar if Estonia were in Ukraine’s position,” he added.
Although Beijing has not responded to the report yet, it has denied any involvement in aiding Russia’s drone production in the past.
