China has begun exporting drones to russia via a new route

This was reported by Bloomberg.

Previously, the UAE and Kazakhstan were considered the main routes for supplying dual-use goods to russia, but now the focus has shifted to Southeast Asia.

In particular, according to the publication, in the first 11 months of 2025, russia imported $125 million worth of drones from China via Thailand. This represents 88% of Thailand's total drone exports and is eight times more than in 2024. During the same period, China supplied Thailand with drones worth $186 million.

For comparison: in 2022, drone exports from Thailand amounted to less than $1 million, and none of them went to russia.

According to Bloomberg, Skyhub Technologies Ltd., based in Bangkok, plays a key role in the scheme of supplying drones to russia. Formally, the company is engaged in car rental, but it has become the second largest importer of Chinese drones in the country.

In particular, the company purchased EVO Max 4T models from the Chinese company Autel Robotics — these drones are used on the front lines in Ukraine.

Another company from the suburbs of Bangkok, China Thai Corp, is also involved in the drone trade. In the first 11 months of 2025, it imported $144 million worth of drones from China to Thailand. In October, the company was sanctioned by the United Kingdom for supplying technology to the russian military.

China Thai's involvement in supplying equipment to russia can be traced back to at least 2023. At that time, it acted as a freight forwarder for a $2 million shipment of Apple iPhones destined for the russian company OOO Atlas, which the EU subsequently added to its sanctions list. That same year, OOO Atlas purchased $2.5 million worth of semiconductors from the Hong Kong-based company DEXP International Limited, which is also under EU sanctions.

The US State Department told Bloomberg that China supplies up to 80% of the dual-use components that russia uses in the war. However, Washington officials declined to comment on specific shipments through Thailand.

Meanwhile, Thai customs officials say importers are not required to indicate the final destination of drones, and there is currently no legal basis for restrictions.

Bloomberg notes that the increase in shipments through Thailand indicates that Moscow is managing to find new routes to circumvent restrictions.

Source: Babel, Bloomberg