Ukraine says partners have disrupted Russian access to Chinese drone engines
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Vadym Skibitsky said that Russia has problems with jet engines for drones (Photo: HUR)
Russia is facing problems obtaining Chinese-made jet engines for drones as a result of actions by Ukraine and its international partners, Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Intelligence (HUR) chief Vadym Skibitskyi said.
“That is why I want to emphasize again: international sanctions are needed,” Skibitskyi said during the annual Yalta European Strategy meeting in Kyiv, organized by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, Interfax-Ukraine reported.
“Today, Russia has certain problems with jet engines for drones. We are talking about engines from China. This is the result of our actions and those of our partners.”
Skibitskyi said China understands the potential consequences, risks and problems for its own industry connected with supplies to Russia.
He also said HUR is aware of all Russian companies and facilities involved in production, including joint manufacturing projects with Chinese companies.
“Unfortunately, they are located far from our border — more than 2,000 kilometers away,” Skibitskyi said. “Hitting such targets is not easy. It is only possible using long-range strike systems, including drones.”
Russia increasingly relies on jet-powered drones
In recent weeks, Russia has increasingly relied on missile-drones and jet-powered UAVs as a major means of carrying out air attacks against Ukraine.
Among the most common systems are the Geran-4 and relatively inexpensive Banderol loitering munitions.
Serhii Beskrestnov, an adviser to the president on defense technology, said Russia does not have enough jet-powered Shahed-type drones stockpiled to launch them in waves comparable to earlier attacks involving 600-700 conventional drones.
Instead, Russian forces are using them “literally straight from the production line,” he said.
Ukrainian aircraft and surface-to-air missile systems currently play the key role in countering Russian jet-powered drones and missile-drones.
That response is disproportionately expensive but remains the only viable option until Ukraine establishes mass production of interceptor drones capable of engaging targets traveling at jet speeds.
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