Estonian intelligence reports that China has become a hub for smuggling Western technology to the Russian military.

China is assisting Russia in the production of military drones. The country has effectively become a hub for smuggling critically important Western components for Russian drones.

This was stated by the Estonian foreign intelligence in its annual report on national security, as reported by RBK-Ukraine citing Reuters.

According to the Estonian intelligence, around 80% of such components entering Russia now come from China. Reports also indicate that approximately 60% of foreign parts found in Russian weaponry on the battlefield in Ukraine were sourced through China.

The report claims that China is the "primary center for importing high-tech goods and dual-use items to Russia circumventing Western sanctions."

"China's interests here lie in preventing Russia from losing the war in Ukraine, as such an outcome would signify a victory for the United States, which is China's main rival," stated Kaupo Rosin, the director general of the agency, during a video call with reporters.

It is noted that Russia lacks domestic alternatives for drone components, so they primarily come from the West.

"The Chinese government ... fosters bilateral cooperation and covert transfers of dual-use components through private companies. This approach is likely to reduce Russia's dependence on Western components and, in the long term, could undermine the West's ability to influence this area," the report mentions.

China Accused of Military Assistance to Russia

In July of last year, former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused China of being a primary supplier of weapons to Russia. In particular, the U.S. was concerned that China and Russia had found a new way to cooperate.

Subsequently, it became known that Chinese companies are suspected of supplying dual-use goods to Russia - particularly, the sharp increase in such trade was reported by the Associated Press in April.

Additionally, last year China adjusted its export controls on drones intended for military use.