After the outbreak of the great war, Russians began to massively develop and manufacture FPV drones. Large factories and enterprises that had previously specialized exclusively in weapons of mass destruction quickly began to change their profile or expand their production to join the so-called “drone war.” FPVs were also actively assembled by artisanal methods. Trap Aggressor analysts investigated manufacturers and suppliers of FPV drones for the Russian army.

The report covers the period up to August 2024 and analyzes:

• trends in the development of the FPV drone market in Russia;
• key manufacturers and suppliers;
• the impact of Chinese imports;
• the current state of sanctions policy in the industry.

According to the study, analysts found a significant increase in the production of FPV drones in Russia after the start of the full-scale invasion, especially in 2023. Russian production covers a wide range of participants: from large concerns to small businesses and volunteer initiatives. China plays an important role as a supplier of drones and components for garage production. The study also reveals gaps in the sanctions politics against Russian manufacturers and describes the dilemma of sanctioning Chinese FPV drone manufacturers.

• 54 manufacturers of FPV drones located in 22 regions of the Russian Federation were identified, of which 35 legal entities and individuals were verified.
• The total amount of Chinese exports of drones to Russia from January 2023 to May 2024 is more than $28 million.
• Most of the identified Russian manufacturers of FPV drones are not subject to international sanctions.
• Sanctions against Chinese manufacturers may also have a negative impact on drone production in Ukraine, which requires a more targeted approach.

The analysts’ conclusions once again emphasize the need to continue monitoring the situation and immediately develop sanctions against Russian manufacturers of military FPV drones.