China is 'helping develop attack drones for Russia'

Claim by European officials raises worry Beijing may provide lethal aid to Kremlin

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Chinese and Russian companies are developing an attack drone similar to an Iranian model deployed in Ukraine, European officials familiar with the matter said, a sign that Beijing may be edging closer to providing the sort of lethal aid that Western officials have warned against.

The companies held talks in 2023 about collaborating to replicate Iran's Shahed drone, and started developing and testing a version in 2024 in preparation for shipment to Russia, said the officials, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. The drones have yet to be used in Ukraine, they said.

Providing Russia with a Shahed like attack drone would mark a deepening of Beijing's support for Moscow despite repeated warnings from the US and its allies. President Xi Jinping has sought to portray China as neutral in the conflict in Ukraine even as Western officials say it has provided components and other support for President Vladimir Putin's forces.