Make Sure Its Products Are Not Used In War, Chinese Drone Maker Stops Sales In Russia And Ukraine

DJI Mavic Pro drone illustration. (Wikimedia Commons / SimonWaldherr)

JAKARTA - Drone giant DJI Technology Co., said it will temporarily suspend its business in Russia and Ukraine, to ensure its products are not used in combat.

The move makes DJI the first major Chinese company to stop selling to Russia since Moscow invaded Ukraine on February 24.

"DJI is internally reassessing compliance requirements across multiple jurisdictions," the private company said in a statement late Tuesday.

"Pending the current review, DJI will temporarily suspend all business activities in Russia and Ukraine."

Although Western companies have pulled out of Russia in protest, many Chinese companies have remained there, taking cues from Beijing's stance to refrain from criticism of Moscow over the invasion.

On Wednesday, a DJI spokesman told Reuters the suspension of business in Russia and Ukraine "is not to make a statement about any country, but to make a statement about our principles".

"DJI hates using our drones to cause harm, and we are temporarily suspending sales in these countries, to help ensure no one uses our drones in combat."

Ukrainian officials and citizens have accused DJI, the world's largest maker of consumer and industrial drones, of leaking Ukrainian military data to Russia.

Last month, DJI dismissed the allegations as 'totally false'. One seller in Germany cited the information as a reason for removing DJI products from the shelves.

Although the company has seen online footage showing the Russian military using its products, a DJI spokesman said last month it was unable to confirm this and had no control over the use of its products.

"We are in close contact with our customers, partners and other stakeholders regarding the temporary suspension of business operations in the affected areas," the DJI statement added.