Russia has established a weapons programme in China to develop and produce long-range attack drones for use in its war against Ukraine, two sources from a European intelligence agency told Reuters in a report published in September.

Germany on Monday accused China of providing drone assistance to Russia in its war with Ukraine that began in February 2022 and is about to enter its 1,000th day. “This must and will have consequences,” said Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on the sidelines of an EU meeting in Brussels.

China has refuted reports it has been supplying Russia with attack drones as European Union foreign ministers met Monday to discuss the alleged evidence. "China handles the export of military products prudently and responsibly,

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned China against supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine with military equipment at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday. Baerbock said supporters of Russia must understand that the Ukraine war concerns Europe's "core security interests" and for this reason backing Russia "must and will have consequences" for China.

European Union foreign ministers are discussing intelligence showing drones are being produced for the Russian military in Xinjiang.

Diplomats are becoming increasingly concerned that Russia is producing deadly drones in China in a move which could have serious implications for the war in Ukraine. Insiders say the "evidence" it had uncovered was a concerning reflection of the "no-limits partnership" to which the two superpowers are committed to.