Chinese Drone Maker Suspends Business in Russia and Ukraine

Top selling Chinese drone manufacturer DJI is suspending all business in Russia and Ukraine, after a Ukraine vice prime minister posted a scathing letter on Twitter.

Thom Patterson

Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 02:44 PM ET

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DJI’s AeroScope system can be used to locate drones and drone operators, including Ukranian drone pilots. [Courtesy: DJI]

Key Takeaways:

Chinese drone manufacturer DJI is suspending all business in Russia and Ukraine after Ukraine's Vice Prime Minister accused Russian forces of using DJI drones, specifically AeroScope technology, to navigate missile attacks and kill civilians.
Ukraine demanded DJI cease business in Russia, block products activated there, and assist Ukrainian users, linking DJI's decision to human lives.
DJI maintains its products are for civilian use only and condemns any military application, stating it has policies against selling to customers for military purposes and will terminate relationships with non-compliant partners.
The situation brings to light DJI's investor ties to the Chinese government and past U.S. government concerns regarding its data security and potential national security threats.

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Top-selling Chinese drone manufacturer DJI is suspending all business in Russia and Ukraine after a Ukraine vice prime minister posted a scathing letter on Twitter.

Invading Russian troops have been using DJI drones to “navigate” missile attacks in Ukraine, according to a letter from Ukraine’s Vice Prime Minister-Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov to DJI CEO Frank Wang. The letter, posted on Twitter, demands that DJI cease business in Russia “until the war in Ukraine is fully stopped and fair order is restored.”