China Supplied More Than 500 Thousand km of Fiber Optic Cable to Russia in August

China has significantly increased exports of key components for the production of FPV drones to Russia, including fiber-optic cables and lithium-ion batteries.

According to The Washington Post, this has significantly enhanced the technical capabilities of Russian troops at the front in Ukraine, especially in terms of using drones that are resistant to electronic warfare.

According to China’s customs service, a record 527,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable were shipped to Russia in August, nearly three times the amount shipped in June. In contrast, Ukraine received only 115.8 kilometers in August.

Supplies of lithium-ion batteries also increased: $54 million in June and $47 million in August. Exports of batteries to Ukraine over the same period amounted to only $11-12 million per month.

Despite its declared “neutrality,” China has restricted the supply of finished drones to Ukraine and Western countries, while opening access to components for Russian manufacturers. DJI has stopped direct deliveries, but smaller Chinese companies have filled this niche.

Russian manufacturers, such as Rustact, imported hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of components from China before the EU sanctions were imposed. After the restrictions, supplies continued through lesser-known Chinese suppliers who were not subject to sanctions.

According to The Insider, since 2023, at least 140 drone manufacturers and another 60 organizations supplying spare parts have been registered in Russia.