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.

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.

On Sunday, Russia launched a drone and missile attack on Ukraine in what’s being seen as the largest barrage in recent months, officials said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on the social platform X that Russia used nearly 140 missiles of “various types” over the last week,

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,

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.