U.S. Concerns Over Secret Russian War Drones Project in China

The United States expresses concern over a report indicating that Russia has a secret war drones project in China, allegedly involving a Chinese company providing lethal assistance to a U.S.-sanctioned Russian firm. The U.S. has not seen evidence suggesting the Chinese government's awareness or involvement but emphasizes that China must ensure its companies do not offer lethal aid.

The United States is sounding alarms over a recent report suggesting Russia is running a covert war drones project in China, with alleged support from a Chinese company that is providing lethal aid to a U.S.-sanctioned Russian firm, a White House spokesperson revealed on Wednesday.

According to a National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson, the U.S. has found no indication that the People's Republic of China (PRC) was aware of or involved in these transactions. However, the spokesperson stressed that the Chinese government bears the responsibility for ensuring its companies are not facilitating lethal assistance to Russia.

European intelligence sources and documents reviewed by Reuters indicate that Russia has set up a weapons program in China for developing and producing long-range attack drones intended for use in the Ukraine conflict. These findings suggest that PRC's oversight measures are inadequate, according to the NSC spokesperson.

The U.S. stands ready to take swift action against the implicated Chinese companies and to investigate the banking institutions that handled transactions involving the sanctioned Russian entity. Furthermore, Washington aims to collaborate with European allies to decide on subsequent steps.

(With inputs from agencies.)