Russia Uses Thailand as Massive Backdoor to Smuggle Chinese Drones, Bloomberg Reports — UNITED24 Media

Russia sharply increased its imports of unmanned aerial vehicles from Thailand in 2025, with the shipments largely consisting of Chinese-made drones routed through Thai intermediaries, Bloomberg reported on February 19.

Customs records reviewed by the outlet show that from January to November 2025 Russia imported $125 million worth of drones from Thailand, accounting for 88% of Thailand’s total UAV exports during that period. In 2022, Thailand imported less than $1 million worth of drones, and none were shipped onward to Russia.

We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.

DONATE NOW

The increase in exports to Russia coincided with a surge in Chinese drone deliveries to Thailand. Over the same 11-month period in 2025, China exported $186 million worth of drones to Thailand. The trade data indicates that Bangkok sourced the vast majority of its UAV imports from China before re-exporting them.

The investigation identified Bangkok-based Skyhub Technologies Ltd. as one of the key intermediaries in the supply chain. Registered as a car rental service and previously active in geology services, the company became the second-largest Thai importer of Chinese drones.

Data from the trade analytics platform Big Trade Data shows Skyhub imported $25 million worth of drones in 2025, primarily from Autel Robotics.

Autel Robotics stated that its products are intended for civilian use and are equipped with a “geofencing system” designed to prevent flights in combat zones in Ukraine.

Another Bangkok-based firm, China Thai Corp., imported $144 million worth of drones from China during the first 11 months of 2025. The company was placed under UK sanctions in October for supplying military-related technology to Russia.

Russia’s drone purchases from Thailand in 2025 were eight times higher than in 2024, according to Bloomberg. Trade records cited by Bloomberg indicate that China Thai Corp.’s cooperation with Russian entities dates back at least to 2023, when it exported a shipment of iPhones valued at $2 million to Russian electronics manufacturer Atlas, which was later sanctioned by the European Union in 2024.

Financial filings show that China Thai Corp.’s annual revenue rose sharply in recent years, increasing from 14,000 baht annually between 2020 and 2022 (approximately $400) to 17.8 million baht in 2023 (around $500,000) and 25.3 million baht in 2024 (roughly $710,000).

Thailand’s Director-General of the Customs Department, Phanthong Loykulnanta, said exports of Chinese drones from Thailand were conducted in accordance with domestic law. He added that the Thai Ministry of Commerce is “studying this issue” and may tighten export controls.

Earlier, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project reported that Russia’s Geran-2 drones are built almost entirely from foreign-made components, including microchips and electronic modules from the US, China, and Europe.

The investigation identified hundreds of parts, with only a few dozen of Russian origin, and found at least 672 shipments of sanctioned European components delivered to Russia between January 2024 and March 2025 via intermediaries.

On the Frontline of Truth
Logo
On the Frontline of Truth

Our reporters work on the frontlines to show what’s really happening in Ukraine. Your support helps them keep reporting.

Source link

Visited 1 times, 1 visit(s) today

Related Article

DF-61 intercontinental ballistic missiles on military transport vehicles.

China reportedly developing ‘new generation’ of nuclear weapons — and conducted a top secret test this month

US intelligence agencies believe China is developing a “new generation” of nuclear weapons — with Beijing having reportedly conducted at least one undisclosed explosive test already. China’s plan to radically advance its nuclear capabilities — beyond its 600 operational warheads — could mean a severe shift in its overall nuclear strategy, US officials told CNN.

AI Summit 2026: US, China, EU and a total of 88 countries sign New Delhi Declaration on global AI Impact; What's in it and why it matters

AI Summit 2026: US, China, EU and a total of 88 countries sign New Delhi Declaration on global AI Impact; What’s in it and why it matters

New Delhi hosted a landmark AI summit where 88 nations adopted the New Delhi Declaration, championing “AI for All.” This non-binding agreement outlines a global roadmap for equitable AI development, focusing on democratizing resources, reskilling workforces, and fostering energy-efficient systems. The AI Impact Summit 2026 wrapped up in New Delhi on December 20 with 88

Spring Festival movie season fuels holiday consumption in China

Spring Festival movie season fuels holiday consumption in China

Chinese cinemas are boosting the holiday economy through various marketing and promotion campaigns during the Spring Festival movie season. The nine-day holiday, the longest Spring Festival movie season in history, has delivered a vibrant screening feast of comedies, action films, animations, and sci-fi productions to audiences nationwide. As of Saturday, the 2026 Spring Festival box

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R) shakes hands with Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva before their meeting at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi on February 21, 2026. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)

India signs critical minerals deal with Brazil to curb dependance on China | Politics News

Indian Prime Minister Modi hailed the agreement on critical minerals and rare earths as a ‘major step towards building resilient supply chains’.  Listen to this article | 3 mins info Brazil and India have signed an agreement to boost cooperation on critical minerals and rare earths, as the Indian government seeks new suppliers to curb its dependence

China's Consumer Spending Reports Steady Growth in Spring Festival Holiday

China’s Consumer Spending Reports Steady Growth in Spring Festival Holiday

Beijing- Chinese consumers ushered in the Spring Festival holiday with a burst of spending, filling restaurants and malls and traveling across the country, which offered an early-year boost to the consumption sector. Tourists wait for a sugar painting in Changde, central China’s Hunan Province, Feb. 17, 2026. (Photo/Xinhua) In the first four days of the

Eileen Gu of Team People's Republic of China falls in the Women's Freeski Halfpipe Qualification 1 on day thirteen of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Livigno Air Park on Feb. 19, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. 

Scott Bessent call out Olympic skier Eileen Gu over China decision

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent weighed in on the controversy over the American-born Olympic skier Eileen Gu’s decision to compete for China over the U.S.  During an interview on Fox News’ “The Will Cain Show” on Friday, Bessent suggested Gu “sold out” with her decision to compete for

VIP Guests At Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: Day 13

Who Is Alysa Liu’s Father? Everything to Know About Arthur Liu

Alysa Liu embarked on a roller coaster ride to her Olympic figure skating gold medal, and her father has been with her every step of the way. Arthur Liu watched in person along with millions at home on Feb. 19 as his 20-year-old daughter completed a magical run to win the U.S.’s first women’s figure

Japan: PM Takaichi flags China ‘Coercion,’ pledges defence security overhaul

PM Takaichi flags China ‘Coercion,’ pledges defence security overhaul

Japan: PM Takaichi flags China ‘Coercion,’ pledges defense security overhaul Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned of growing Chinese “coercion” in her first post-election speech to parliament on Friday, February 20, 2026, pledging to overhaul defense strategy, ease ‌curbs on military exports, and strengthen critical supply chains. Takaichi’s four-month tenure has been marked by a

ET logo

US President Trump to travel to China from March 31 to April 2 amid trade tensions

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump will travel to China from March 31 to April 2, a White House official said on Friday, setting dates for a highly anticipated encounter amid tension between the world’s biggest economies. Trump is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping as part of the extended visit, as the two sides

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chinese President Xi Jinping. (ANI File)

The next battle with China may be over a different ‘Line of Code’| India News

What if the next war over Arunachal Pradesh is not fought on a mountain, but on a motherboard? The signs are on the wall. At the recently concluded India AI Summit, Lt. Gen. Dinesh Singh Rana, commander-in-chief, Strategic Forces Command, spoke of India using AI to anticipate and foil a Chinese incursion into the Line

tsmc

The state of China’s decade-long semiconductor push: still a decade behind, despite hundreds of billions spent and significant progress — examining the original ‘Made in China 2025’ initiative

In 2013, China was the largest maker of electronics, and the country imported the vast majority of chips required for manufacturing smartphones and PCs, as it had no microelectronics production capabilities of its own. Driven by concerns surrounding dependence on foreign technology, China’s State Council launched what it called the ‘Made in China 2025‘ initiative.

Eileen Gu

Eileen Gu responds to criticism over Team China decision at Olympics

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! American-born Team China skier Eileen Gu responded to the global criticism she has received during the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.  Her decision to compete for China despite being born in the U.S. has made her a target for Americans and others across the world, with Vice President

China’s ambassador Wu Peng and South African minister of agriculture, John Steenhuisen see off the first shipments

South Africa celebrates first stonefruit shipment to China | News

Official commencement follows the signing of a bilateral trade agreement granting South African produce duty-free access into the Chinese market South Africa has marked a significant milestone in agricultural trade, sending the first shipment of stonefruit to China this week, following the signing of a bilateral trade agreement that grants South African produce duty-free access into the Chinese market.  On 18 February, South African minister of agriculture, John Steenhuisen, and China’s

Japanese leader Takaichi warns of China 'coercion' and vows security overhaul

Japanese leader Takaichi warns of China ‘coercion’ and vows security overhaul

TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned of growing Chinese “coercion” in her first post-election speech to parliament on Friday, pledging to overhaul defense strategy, ease curbs on military exports and strengthen critical supply chains. Takaichi’s four-month tenure has been marked by a diplomatic dispute with China after she said Japan could use military

Donald Trump, the US president, and Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, Oct 30, 2025

The secret tests that expose China’s race for nuclear superiority

On the edge of a vast desert in north-west China lies a dried-up salt lake. Its remote, barren location offers little support for civilisation, but makes it the perfect site for secret nuclear testing. This area, known as Lop Nur, or Lop Lake, is where the United States government has alleged that China has been

China’s one-child policy and the phenomenon of twins

China’s one-child policy and the phenomenon of twins

A more horrifying “family planning” practice than China’s one-child policy would be difficult to imagine. In effect between 1979 and 2015, the goal of the initiative was to curb population growth and thereby boost the nation’s economic status. In practice, to name just a few of the abominations, women were sometimes tied down and subjected

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x