Estonia Reports China Aids Russia's Drone Production with Western Components

Estonia's foreign intelligence report reveals that China has become a crucial enabler of Russia's military drone production, facilitating the smuggling of critical Western components. Approximately 80% of these components now arrive in Russia via China, a significant increase from earlier estimates of 60%. The report emphasizes Beijing's strategic interest in preventing a Russian defeat in Ukraine, as such an outcome would benefit its main rival, the United States. This collaboration undermines Western sanctions and could diminish Russia's reliance on Western technology over time. Additionally, the report suggests that Western companies operating in China might be inadvertently supporting these covert operations. Estonia's increasing security concerns have prompted calls for enhanced NATO presence in the region to prepare for potential escalations from Russia.