Bangkok, Thailand – Thailand has emerged as a key transit point for Chinese-made drones being delivered to Russia, circumventing Western sanctions imposed in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The surge in drone shipments highlights the challenges of restricting Russia’s access to dual-use technologies and underscores the evolving geopolitical landscape in Southeast Asia.
According to an analysis of trade documents cited by Bloomberg on , Russia imported $125 million worth of drones from Thailand in the first eleven months of . This represents 88% of Thailand’s total drone exports for the period, an eightfold increase compared to the previous year. Simultaneously, China shipped $186 million worth of drones to Thailand, accounting for almost all of the country’s drone imports.
The dramatic increase in drone trade began after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in . Prior to the invasion, Thailand exported less than $1 million worth of drones annually, with none destined for Russia. The shift demonstrates a deliberate effort to reroute sensitive technologies through third countries to evade international restrictions.
Several companies are reportedly involved in facilitating the drone shipments. China Thai Corp., which imported $144 million worth of drones from China to Thailand in the first eleven months of , was sanctioned by Britain in for supplying technology to the Russian military. The company is now reportedly changing its name to Lanto Global Logistics. Skyhub Technologies, another major importer, shipped in $25 million worth of products in , including hundreds of the Autel Robotics EVO Max 4T model.
The EVO Max 4T, while marketed as a civilian drone, is capable of being used in combat. Notably, this model has been actively promoted within Ukraine’s Army of Drones program by Mykhailo Fedorov, the country’s former Digital Transformation Minister and current Defense Minister. This adds a layer of complexity to the situation, as drones intended for defensive purposes are potentially ending up on the opposing side of the conflict.
Autel Robotics has denied cooperating with the Russian military and stated its compliance with international sanctions. The company claims its drones are equipped with a “no-fly geofencing system” designed to prevent operation in conflict zones. However, the effectiveness of such systems in circumventing determined efforts to disable or bypass them remains a point of contention.
Maria Shagina of the International Institute for Strategic Studies explained that the use of third-country intermediaries is a common tactic for sanctions evasion. The countries may change but the methods do not: Rerouting via third countries using shell companies,
she told Bloomberg. This observation highlights the persistent challenge of enforcing sanctions regimes and the adaptability of those seeking to circumvent them.
The rise in drone shipments through Thailand also coincides with deepening economic, political, and cultural ties between Thailand, and Russia. While the exact nature of these ties remains under scrutiny, they provide a conducive environment for facilitating trade that might otherwise be subject to greater oversight.
Western officials have repeatedly accused China of providing material support to Russia’s war effort, allegations that Beijing consistently denies. At the recent Munich Security Conference, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker urged China to leverage its influence over Russia to de-escalate the conflict. China could call [President] Vladimir Putin and end this war tomorrow and cut off his dual-purpose technologies that they’re selling,
Whitaker stated. China could stop buying Russian oil and gas. You know, this war is being completely enabled by China.
These statements underscore the growing frustration among Western allies regarding China’s perceived reluctance to fully condemn Russia’s actions.
While China has offered humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, the scale and scope of this aid package have not been publicly disclosed. This limited transparency further fuels concerns about China’s overall alignment in the conflict. The situation in Thailand underscores the broader challenge of controlling the flow of dual-use technologies to Russia, even as international pressure mounts on countries perceived to be enabling Moscow’s war effort. The reliance on complex supply chains and the willingness of intermediaries to exploit loopholes in sanctions regimes continue to pose significant obstacles to achieving a lasting resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
