Chinese-made mesh modems are being supplied to Russia and may help Russian drones operate deeper inside Ukraine.

Journalists identified a modem manufactured by China’s Xingkai Tech inside a Russian Gerbera drone. Posing as Russian military suppliers, they then ordered 500 of the devices for delivery to a manufacturing facility in Alabuga, Russia, according to UNIAN.

The company issued an invoice for the order despite reportedly knowing that the equipment was intended for military production. Chinese banks are facilitating the transactions.

Mesh modems have emerged as an alternative for Russian forces following the blocking of Starlink access for Russian military users.

The devices allow Geran and Gerbera drones to connect through a mesh network, helping them maintain communications over longer distances.