Understanding China's Role in Russia's Drone Warfare Strategy

10/29/2026

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China isn’t merely appearing on the parts list of Russian Shahed drones. Ukrainian presidential adviser Serhii “Flash” Beskrestnov says Chinese engineers are helping Russia’s Alabuga drone program improve the weapons it uses against Ukraine. Antennas, mesh modems, engines, cameras—and the expertise behind them. That’s the technological side of a much bigger and uglier story.

Five video clips connect the dots. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asks how Moscow can negotiate Europe’s security without Europe—and pointedly asks, “With China?” Historian Timothy Snyder, speaking with Jim Acosta, examines China’s backing of Russia’s invasion, the crimes being committed against Ukrainians, and the danger of Donald Trump entering talks with Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping on their terms.

And then there’s Belarus. Alexander Lukashenko pledges that his country will never betray Russia, raising another serious question about the support network behind Putin’s war. This is about more than drones or diplomacy. It’s about who is helping sustain the invasion—and who is willing to confront them.

Watch Jim Acosta’s full interview with Timothy Snyder: • Timothy Snyder Told Me…