China is conducting advanced negotiations to sell suicide drones to Russia for use against Ukraine, the German "Der Spiegel" reports.
According to information received by the weekly, the Chinese military and the company "Xian Bingo for Advanced Air Technology" are carrying out and agreeing with Russia on the mass production of suicide drones of a model identical in capabilities to the Iranian suicide bomber "Shahed 136", which the Russians are already using against targets in Ukraine. The Chinese side announced For his willingness to produce 100 ZT-180 suicide drones and hand them over to the Russians by this April.
An Iranian drone in the service of Russia on its way to its destination in Kiev, October last year, photo: AFP
According to military experts, the Chinese suicide drone can carry explosives weighing 35-50 kilograms. The Chinese carry and provide with Russia also the transfer of components and know-how for the construction of the drones to the Russians, so that Russia can establish a production line for drones on its territory, where approximately -100 drones every month.
The German government has information according to which China is already selling civilian drones to Russia, which can also be operated for the purpose of gathering intelligence information on the battlefields in Ukraine. Last weekend, the US warned China against supplying Russia with weapons and ammunition.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry denies any intention to sell any weapons to Russia.
Kyiv: an air defense team with a "Maxim" machine gun, which is used to intercept drones, photo: Reuters
In the meantime, the Chinese Foreign Ministry published what was defined in recent days as the "Chinese Peace Plan" but turned out to be a very general document of principles.
The document has 12 sections, including "respect for the sovereignty of all countries", renouncing the "Cold War mentality" (an allusion to American hegemony; Div); cessation of hostilities, resumption of peace talks, a solution to the humanitarian crisis, protection of the civilian population and captives, and verification that there is no Danger to nuclear power plants, reduction of strategic risks, aid in grain exports, elimination of "unilateral sanctions" (that is, those not approved by the Security Council of which Russia is a member; DB), support for the stability of production and supply chains, and assistance for post-war reconstruction .
According to the authors of the document, "unilateral sanctions and maximum pressure are not able to solve the problem, but only create new problems."
Also, the Chinese Foreign Ministry clarifies that the use of nuclear weapons.
So far, China has maintained relative neutrality vis-à-vis Russia, and the main reason for this is the fear of losing European markets (the European Union is China's largest trading partner).
Although it has increased its oil purchases from Russia and continues to hold prearranged military exercises with it, it has so far refrained from sending weapons.
China also did not condemn Russia's crimes in the international institutions.
Meanwhile, the "Sydney Morning Herald" newspaper reports this morning that Australia exposed a Russian spy network - and expelled its members while keeping a low profile.
According to the report, the network had diplomatic members from the Russian embassy and consulates, who worked under false identities.
The network operated in Australia for 18 months before being exposed by the Australian Homeland Security Agency (ASIO).
The Russian spies were then quietly pushed out of Australia over a period of six months by not renewing or canceling their visas.
The reason for the secrecy?
The fear of expelling Australian diplomats from Russia and harming Australian citizens in its territory.
The Russian embassy did not respond to the publication.
This morning, Australia and New Zealand announced their own new sanctions against Russia, which this time will include large bodies in the aviation and shipping industries.
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