A Chinese drone for hobbyists plays a crucial role in the Russia-Ukraine war

A Ukrainian soldier launches a DJI Mavic 3 drone in Bakhmut, Ukraine, near the frontline with Russian troops on Feb. 18. Ukrainian forces have been using drones for reconnaissance and directing artillery fire. But the Ukrainians have also modified them to conduct attacks on Russian ground forces.

John Moore/Getty Images

There’s lots of talk about the possibility of China supplying weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine. But one Chinese product already plays a critical role on the battlefield – DJI commercial drones.

The drones cost around $2,000 or less. They’re easy to fly, widely available online and in electronics stores, and are hugely popular worldwide among civilians who fly drones in the park for fun.

They’re also a hot commodity for troops on both sides of the Ukraine war.

“Before this war, people mostly used them to play around with things for experimental purposes, like, ‘Can I drop a water bottle?’ You see these videos on YouTube,” said Faine Greenwood, a researcher based in Boston. She’s documenting drone use in Ukraine based largely on videos that appear on social media.

“The Ukrainians, and the Russians too, have figured out ways to modify these devices they’ve purchased online to make more and more creative ways to drop explosives from these small consumer drones,” she said.

Greenwood has examined more than 1,000 cases over the past year and can identify the type of drone used in half of them. By far the most popular — for both reconnaissance and for attacks — are the DJI commercial drones made in China. They account for more than half she’s been able to identify.

This is happening even though DJI announced in April 2022…