Hot Potato: Most companies welcome public accolades, but not when it comes from a senior Russian general who calls your product a “true symbol of modern warfare” . That’s the situation facing Chinese drone maker DJI, which responded by reiterating that its drones are for civilian use only.
The South China Morning Post reported that the former chief of the General Staff of the Russian Federation Armed Forces, General Yuri Baluyevsky, has been praising DJI’s drones Their increased accuracy and efficiency compared to precision-guided missiles have brought a “true revolution” to traditional artillery weapons, Yongkou writes in his new book.
Last Friday, the Russian embassy in China posted a report on the book by state media Sputnik on the social media platform Weibo. The post quoted Baluyevsky as saying, “The Mavic quadcopter drone made by China’s DJI has become a true symbol of modern warfare.”
Mavic Air 2
Russian Embassy The post was quickly taken down, but not before it came under fire from Chinese netizens who complained it could have an impact on DJI, which is already under U.S. sanctions. “What’s the use of you saying that? Western countries block DJI? Or impose more sanctions on China?” one post read.
In December last year, DJI was put on an investment blacklist by the US government for its alleged involvement in the surveillance of Xinjiang’s Muslim minority. Sanctions have caused DJI’s share of the drone market to drop from a high of 74% to 54% in 2021, although it remains the No. 1 consumer drone maker.
DJI issued a statement on Weibo condemning the post. “All DJI products are designed for civilian purposes and cannot meet military specifications,” the company wrote. “We do not support applications for military purposes.”
This is not new territory for DJI. The company suspended sales in Russia in April after numerous reports that the country’s military used its drones to navigate missiles in Ukraine. DJI said at the time that the move was not a statement against any country, “but a statement about our principles.”
In 21 days of war, the Russian army has killed 100 Ukrainian children. They are using DJI products to navigate their missiles. @DJIGlobal are you sure you want to be a partner in these murders? Stop products that help Russia kill Ukrainians! pic.twitter.com/4HJcTXFxoY — Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) March 16, 2022
In March, Ukrainian Vice President Mykhailo Fedorov sent a letter asking DJI CEO and founder Wang Fran to stop selling products to Russia. Fedorov said the Russian military is using an extended version of DJI’s AeroScope drone detection program, and that DJI products are being used to kill civilians.
