Drone maker DJI has been put on the spot concerning the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Both Moscow and Kyiv have deployed substantial numbers of DJI drones in the battle. Although DJI insists that its drones are not for military purposes, they have become a critical fulcrum in the ongoing conflict and even the US Army is also using DJI drones in some ways.
Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister, Mykhalio Fedorov has formally requested from Chinese drone maker, DJI to cut off support to the Kremlin war machine. Specifically, the deputy PM says that Russia was using DJI products to navigate their missiles that had continued to target civilians including women and children. Fedorov raised concerns about DJI’s AeroScope, which is a drone detection tool and Russia is using it to detect Ukraine’s DJI drones from up to 30 miles away.
While the United States and Europe are united against the Russian aggression which has led to a raft of sanctions, Chinese companies like DJI may be walking a tight rope in the conflict. While China has remained non-committal on the crisis, its companies may face a backlash for not doing enough to ensure the war is brought to an end. The deputy PM’s letter to DJI’s CEO Frank Wang calls for DJI to cut off drones in Ukraine that were not purchased or registered in the country. This will help to restrict Russian incursion into Ukraine via DJI drones. Furthermore, Ukraine is requesting that DJI provide additional information on all DJI unmanned aircraft in the country.
There is also some suspicion, though unverified, that DJI may have already taken some actions that prevent Ukrainians from using its drones, amidst reports of technical issues in the country. Even though DJI insists its products are not manufactured for military purposes, they are increasingly being put into such use as exemplified by the current war. The company may need to do more to assure stakeholders that it has not become a tool for aggression and perpetration of war crimes inside Ukraine.
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