US allies accuse China of developing attack drones for Russia Amid Ukraine conflict

US allies have accused China of collaborating with Russia to develop attack drones, mirroring Iran’s Shahed drone.

According to anonymous officials, Chinese and Russian companies held discussions in 2023 and began testing a version this year, though these drones have not yet been deployed in Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Providing such drones would signify stronger Chinese support for Russia despite US warnings. President Xi Jinping has tried to maintain a neutral stance on the Ukraine conflict, while Western officials claim China has supplied components and support to Russia.

US officials have noted that while China has avoided directly providing weapons, it has been sending kits that can be converted into attack drones. This indirect support is seen by some nations as crossing into lethal aid, although the US has not officially classified it as such. China, through embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu, denies supplying weapons and insists it strictly controls dual-use exports, accusing other countries of inciting conflict.

Russia, relying on North Korea, Iran, and China for supplies and components, has heavily used Shahed drones against Ukraine. Concerns have arisen that China could mass-produce a similar drone, potentially called the Sunflower 200, at a much faster rate than Iran or Russia.