**Russia Overtakes Ukraine in Long-Range Drone Production, with Chinese Technology Playing a Key Role**
In a significant development, Russia has taken the lead in long-range drone production, surpassing Ukraine’s numbers. According to Ukrainian officials speaking to Politico, China’s technology is playing a critical role in this achievement. Despite Beijing’s public stance of neutrality on the Russo-Ukrainian war, it has maintained close economic ties with Moscow and has been supplying essential components for Russian drone production.
**China’s Role in Russia’s Drone Production**
Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service has reported that 80% of the electronics used in Russian drones were sourced from China by early 2025. These components include critical systems such as navigation, optical systems, engines, and processor modules. Ukrainian officials claim that China uses shell companies to avoid export control and sanctions, allowing Russia to access these vital parts.
**Ukraine’s Drone Production Numbers**
Just a year ago, Ukraine was leading the drone war, producing up to 1 million tactical drones in 2024. The country aimed to produce 2.5 million tactical and 30,000 long-range drones this year. However, Moscow is catching up quickly. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently revealed that Ukraine produces about 100 long-range drones per day, while Russia has increased its production to 300 daily and aims for 500.
**Russia’s Drone Technology Evolution**
Russian drone technology has evolved significantly, with the adoption of drones powered via fiber optic cables. These drones are immune to radio jamming and harder to detect, making it challenging for Ukrainian troops to spot them in the sky. As a result, Ukrainian forces have had to rely on acoustic tools to track these drones. Additionally, Russia is improving its electronic warfare capabilities, with only about 20% of government-supplied drones being usable due to shifting radio frequencies.
**Mass Production Across Russia**
Russia’s drone production is concentrated in several regions across the country, including the Alabuga special economic zone in Tatarstan, where Shahed drones are assembled. Other key production centers include the Kupol plant in Izhevsk, Moscow Oblast, Ekaterinburg, and St. Petersburg.
**Ukraine’s Response**
Ukrainian officials have expressed concern about China’s restrictions on Ukraine’s access to new drones while allowing Russia continued access. President Zelenskyy pointed out that the Chinese Mavic is open to the Russians but closed to Ukrainians, making it unavailable across Europe. Ukrainian army commanders have had to adapt to these changes by using different acoustic and other means to trace Russian drones.
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