Zelensky: "Chinese Mavic is open to "Russians" and closed to Ukrainians"
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia can still buy Chinese DJI Mavic drones, but this opportunity is closed for Ukraine and Europe.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia can still buy Chinese DJI Mavic drones, but this opportunity is closed for Ukraine and Europe.
Zelenskyy announced this during a conversation with journalists, Ukrinform reports.
«Because we didn’t have such a strong mass production, everyone used the corresponding Chinese drones. And it was everywhere. The Chinese „Mavik“ is open to the „Russians“ and closed to Ukrainians. Therefore, when, for example, they say, is China helping the „Russians“ — how do we evaluate such steps? Do they supply them? No. They simply closed it for Europe and for Ukraine, including. And for the „Russians“ there is such an opportunity,» the president said.
According to him, on the territory of Russia «there are relevant production facilities» where Chinese representatives operate.
According to Zelensky, the Russians have an advantage in such drones over the Defense Forces, and also dominate in the field of fiber-optic drones. At the same time, Ukraine has better long-range weapons.
«Regarding the use of long-range things: I think we are better at some things. And let’s be honest, when we started, they had missiles and ballistics — they had all of that. And the Iranians simply gave them all these developments. And drones, etc. No one gave us anything just like that. There is an example of why I believe that we are ahead in some things. I just don’t want to say in which ones… For example, they still report that „something was hit“ there — a military plant or warehouse — again „Neptunes“. Although there are no „Neptunes“ there for a long time,» Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
He also recalled that in January of this year, the production of drones in Ukraine increased 10 times compared to January 2024.
In 2022, DJI announced that it was leaving the Ukrainian market simultaneously with the cessation of operations in the Russian Federation. «DJI is conducting an internal reassessment of compliance requirements in various jurisdictions. Pending the ongoing review, DJI will temporarily cease all business activities in Russia and Ukraine,» the Chinese company said.
In October 2023, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that Ukraine was buying 60% of the world’s total production of Mavic drones. But later, the Chinese manufacturer of Mavic, DJI, denied the words of the Ukrainian Prime Minister.
«If we look in detail at the original source of the manufacturer’s response, there is no denial of the volumes, there is a denial of the existence of confirmed information from within the company. And also a reminder that the manufacturer does not agree to send equipment to Ukraine or the Bolyats,» commented the DJI statement, DroneUA founder Valeriy Yakovenko.
In the fall of 2024, the Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, Herman Smetanin, reported that Ukrainian developers had created about 10 models to replace the Chinese DJI Mavic drones, which are often used by the military.
Read the country’s main IT news in our Telegram
Read the country’s main IT news in our Telegram
Ukrainians have created their own reconnaissance drone, twice as fast as the Mavic. How the new Yautja drone works, assembled almost without Chinese components
Ukrainians have created their own reconnaissance drone, twice as fast as the Mavic. How the new Yautja drone works, assembled almost without Chinese components
The Ukrainian company introduced the ZOOM drone to replace the Chinese DJI Mavic. What are its capabilities?
The Ukrainian company introduced the ZOOM drone to replace the Chinese DJI Mavic. What are its capabilities?
«Why should domestic development be cheaper?» Interview with the manufacturer of «Shmavik» about the price of a drone at $3,500, work under electronic warfare, and when it will be able to replace the Chinese Mavic on the front
«Why should domestic development be cheaper?» Interview with the manufacturer of «Shmavik» about the price of a drone at $3,500, work under electronic warfare, and when it will be able to replace the Chinese Mavic on the front
