Uavos Partners With Avincis To Revolutionize Unmanned Helicopters With Cutting-Edge Composite Rotor Blades
UAVOS to Equip Spanish Avincis’ Unmanned Helicopters with Composite Main Rotor Blades
The project is …
11. August 2025
Ukraine Faces New Drone Threat As Russia Unveils Deadly Shahed Drones
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has seen a significant escalation in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with Russian forces employing increasingly sophisticated drones to gather intelligence and conduct attacks. The latest development in this regard is the introduction of new Russian Shahed-type drones, which have been identified as potential reconnaissance assets and decoy targets designed to reveal Ukrainian air defense positions or overload defense systems.
The Ukrainian drone interceptor unit Posipaky has successfully shot down two of these new drones, with volunteer Serhiy Sternenko publishing video footage of one of the intercepts. The drones were previously identified by Ukrainian intelligence officials as having a delta-wing configuration similar to the Shahed-136 but significantly smaller in dimensions. Most components used in this Russian UAV are of Chinese origin.
According to Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate, almost half of the drone’s components, including the flight controller with autopilot, navigation modules, and antennas, are from one Chinese company, CUAV Technology. This company specializes in research, development, and production of system modules and applications for UAVs. The drone is also equipped with a Chinese copy of the Australian RFD900x data transmission module manufactured by RFDesign.
The RFD900x module enables data transmission channels from the drone to its ground station or between UAVs, thereby expanding reconnaissance capabilities. This device allows the drones to transmit data over long ranges, up to 40 kilometers in direct line of sight, depending on the antenna. The Shahed-type drone is fitted with a Chinese DLE-60 engine and electronic ignition module.
The intercepts by Posipaky highlight ongoing Ukrainian efforts to counter evolving Russian drone technology that increasingly relies on Chinese-manufactured components for critical flight systems and communication equipment. In October 2022, CUAV Technology announced restrictions on supplying its products to both Ukraine and Russia to prevent their use in military applications. However, in 2023, Russia presented a vertical takeoff drone as an original development, which turned out to be a CUAV product available on Aliexpress.
This has led to concerns about the sourcing of components for Russian drones, with some reports suggesting that Chinese-made engines are being covertly shipped via front companies to a state-owned drone manufacturer in Russia. The shipments have allowed Russian weapons-maker IEMZ Kupol to increase its production of the Garpiya-A1 attack drone, despite U.S. and E.U. sanctions imposed in October 2022.
The European security officials reviewed by Reuters stated that more than 6,000 Garpiya drones had been signed for by the Russian defense ministry this year, up from 2,000 in 2024. Over 1,500 drones had already been delivered by April, with around 500 being used by Russia per month. The long-range drone is being deployed to attack civilian and military targets deep within Ukrainian territory.
The use of Chinese technology in Russian drones has raised concerns about the control of dual-use goods in China. In a statement to Reuters, China’s foreign ministry said it was unaware of the export of parts for the Garpiya and that it had controlled foreign sales of dual-use goods in line with China’s own laws and international obligations.
The European Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The U.S. and E.U. have repeatedly imposed sanctions on companies in third-party countries, including China, alleged to have provided dual-use technology to Russia. Kupol has been sanctioned since December 2022 by the EU and December 2023 by the U.S. for its involvement in Russia’s defense sector.
The use of Chinese-made engines in Russian drones is not a new development. In September, Reuters reported that Kupol was producing the Garpiya using L550E engines made by Xiamen Limbach Aviation Engine Co. A month after the report, the European Union and the U.S. sanctioned several companies involved in producing the drones, including Xiamen.
In the wake of the sanctions, a new Chinese firm called Beijing Xichao International Technology and Trade has started supplying the L550E engines to Kupol, according to invoices, a Kupol internal letter, and transportation documents reviewed by Reuters. The increase in production of Garpiya as well as the new intermediaries supplying parts for the drones are reported by Reuters for the first time.
The news agency could not determine how Xichao obtained the engines from the maker Xiamen Limbach. Xiamen Limbach did not respond to a request for comment, and Reuters was unable to reach Xichao.
IEMZ Kupol, Russia’s trade and industry ministry and the defense ministry also did not respond to a request for comment. The Chinese company’s involvement in supplying parts for Russian drones has raised questions about China’s role in enabling Russia’s military efforts.
The use of Chinese technology in Russian drones highlights the complexities of international relations and the challenges of enforcing sanctions. As the conflict in Ukraine continues, it is essential to monitor the development of drone technology and its implications for national security.
In October 2022, the U.S. and E.U. imposed sanctions on companies involved in producing drones that could be used for military purposes, including those manufactured by Xiamen Limbach. However, these sanctions did not appear to have a significant impact on Kupol’s production of the Garpiya-A1 drone.
The recent intercepts by Posipaky have provided valuable insights into the capabilities of these drones and the efforts being made by Ukraine to counter them. The use of Chinese technology in Russian drones has raised concerns about the control of dual-use goods in China, and the involvement of new intermediaries in supplying parts for the drones.
As the conflict continues, it is essential to consider the long-term implications of this development and how it may impact international relations. The use of Chinese-made engines in Russian drones is not a new development, but the recent reports highlighting their involvement have raised questions about China’s role in enabling Russia’s military efforts.
The European security officials reviewed by Reuters stated that the sanctions imposed on companies involved in producing the drones were effective in disrupting supply chains. However, the continued use of Chinese technology in Russian drones highlights the need for ongoing vigilance and monitoring of the situation.
In light of these developments, it is crucial to consider the following:
- The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has seen a significant escalation in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with Russian forces employing increasingly sophisticated drones to gather intelligence and conduct attacks.
- The introduction of new Russian Shahed-type drones has significant implications for the ongoing conflict, particularly regarding reconnaissance capabilities and attack potential.
- The use of Chinese-made components highlights the complexities of international relations and the challenges of enforcing sanctions.
- The involvement of Chinese technology in Russian drones raises concerns about China’s role in enabling Russia’s military efforts.
The situation remains fluid, with new developments emerging regularly. It is essential to maintain a close eye on the development of drone technology and its implications for national security as the conflict in Ukraine continues.