Reuters: Russia imports drone engines from China disguised as refrigeration units

Russia continues to import Chinese engines for the production of attack drones, despite sanctions from the United States and the European Union. To conceal the shipments, they are labeled as "industrial refrigeration units," Reuters reported with reference to three European officials and documentary sources.

The recipient of the engines is the Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant Kupol, which is under sanctions from Ukraine, the United States, the European Union and other countries.

Kupol produces Garpiya-A1 attack drones, which are similar to Iranian Shaheds but use Chinese technology: L550E engines, control systems, and navigation equipment.

In 2024, Kupol produced 2,000 Garpiya drones, and in 2025 production will exceed 6,000 units. According to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia uses 500 of these drones for strikes every month.

The manufacturer of the L550E engines was originally Xiamen Limbach Aviation Engine Co., but after it was added to the sanctions list, a new Chinese company, Beijing Xichao International Technology and Trade, appeared.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was not aware of any exports of Garpiya parts. An unnamed Chinese insider told the agency that China produces about 75% of the world's drones, and if Russia is using them as weapons, so is Ukraine.

• In early July Kupol was hit with Ukrainian drones. According to unofficial information, four workshops were damaged and the company's operations were suspended.