https://www.scmp.com/rss/326765/feed The latest news, analysis and opinion on drones, especially Chinese drone makers and drone usage. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Carol Yang Carol Yang As drones become a common sight in China’s skies, authorities are shifting from one-size-fits-all regulation to a more nuanced approach as they seek to balance management of a rapidly growing fleet with the sector’s billion-dollar market ambitions. The country is promoting a new drone-clearance model in designated areas in Shanghai and in the southwestern province of Sichuan, a few months after abruptly banning all drones in Beijing, the national capital. A new WeChat mini-program – dubbed... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3355682/how-mini-program-helping-china-fine-tune-drone-regulation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3355682/how-mini-program-helping-china-fine-tune-drone-regulation?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Jun 2026 08:26:59 +0000 Reuters Reuters Russian drones and missiles pounded the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and other cities early on Tuesday, killing at least 18 people and wounding more than 100, authorities said, following days of warnings about Moscow’s plans for a major assault. Russia has targeted Ukraine’s power supply and infrastructure in a war now more than four years old, while Ukraine has stepped up attacks this year on Russian oil facilities. Both deny targeting civilians. It was the third heavy assault on Kyiv in under a... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3355645/major-russian-attack-kyiv-other-ukraine-cities-kills-least-9-wounds-dozens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3355645/major-russian-attack-kyiv-other-ukraine-cities-kills-least-9-wounds-dozens?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Jun 2026 05:09:39 +0000 Reuters Reuters Russia’s state ⁠nuclear energy company Rosatom said on Saturday that a Ukrainian drone had struck the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Europe’s largest, causing no damage to key equipment, but the Kyiv military ‌denied it. Rosatom’s head Alexei Likhachev called the incident “deliberate” and said it left a hole in the wall of a turbine hall. “This afternoon, a Ukrainian kamikaze combat drone struck the turbine hall building of Power Unit No 6, resulting in ⁠a subsequent detonation,”... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3355434/russia-says-ukraine-drone-struck-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3355434/russia-says-ukraine-drone-struck-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 May 2026 21:31:31 +0000 Seong Hyeon Choi Seong Hyeon Choi South Korea’s programme to develop engines that can power flying drones to serve as loyal wingmen for fighter jets suggests that Seoul has set its sights on competing at the top level in the global market for autonomous military systems, according to observers. Hanwha Aerospace, one of the country’s largest defence contractors, announced the programme on Tuesday – a joint project with South Korean space agency Kasa to develop a 4,500lb-class (2,040kg) turbofan engine by 2029. The engine will be... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3355017/south-korea-aims-join-china-us-top-tier-loyal-wingman-combat-drone-race?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3355017/south-korea-aims-join-china-us-top-tier-loyal-wingman-combat-drone-race?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 May 2026 09:00:10 +0000 Lawrence Chung Lawrence Chung A high-level American defence industry delegation arrived in Taipei on Tuesday for a four-day visit aimed at expanding the US role in the island’s military modernisation process and the joint production of weapons systems. The party includes 41 senior executives, and the visit was organised by the US-Taiwan Business Council, which has long served as a bridge for the defence industry. The trip underscores a growing overlap between strategic cooperation and arms sales as Taiwan seeks to strengthen... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3354903/what-us-defence-industry-trip-taiwan-says-about-taipeis-efforts-overhaul-military?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3354903/what-us-defence-industry-trip-taiwan-says-about-taipeis-efforts-overhaul-military?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 May 2026 09:55:59 +0000 dpa dpa Ukraine is calling for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council and a gathering of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) following massive Russian air strikes, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on Sunday. In a statement published on social media, Sybiha also called for an “appropriate and strong response to the aggressor” following the overnight attacks, which mainly targeted the Kyiv region and saw the deployment of a medium-range Oreshnik ballistic... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3354700/ukraine-demands-emergency-security-council-meeting-over-russia-strikes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3354700/ukraine-demands-emergency-security-council-meeting-over-russia-strikes?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 May 2026 17:27:29 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg New Zealand intends to spend about NZ$1.6 billion (US$936 million) on drones, ship maintenance and naval upgrades to bolster the island nation’s maritime security at a time of increasing concern about supply routes. Defence Minister Chris Penk said on Saturday that the government would invest in two types of drones: one for the southwest Pacific to provide long-duration intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and the other a polar-capable vehicle that could operate from naval vessels in... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3354637/new-zealand-invest-almost-us1-billion-drones-ships-protect-maritime-security?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3354637/new-zealand-invest-almost-us1-billion-drones-ships-protect-maritime-security?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 May 2026 12:14:32 +0000 Reuters Reuters Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday ordered his military to prepare options to retaliate against Ukraine for what he described as a drone attack on a student dorm that killed six people and wounded dozens, with 15 still unaccounted for. Putin said the attack had struck the dorm in Starobilsk in Luhansk, a Russian-controlled region in eastern Ukraine. He said Kyiv’s military must have ‌known what it was targeting. Ukraine’s military denied the Russian accusations and said it had struck an... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3354586/putin-accuses-ukraine-deadly-attack-student-dorm-vows-retaliation?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3354586/putin-accuses-ukraine-deadly-attack-student-dorm-vows-retaliation?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 May 2026 17:31:41 +0000 Kolette Lim Kolette Lim Singapore’s plan to trial weaponised unmanned drones has put a spotlight on Southeast Asia’s fast-growing interest in systems that can track and strike at targets without putting operators directly in harm’s way. But as countries race to upgrade their drone and counter-drone capabilities, analysts say regulation, transparency and confidence-building will be crucial to prevent accidents or miscalculations that could fuel regional tensions. Singapore announced on Thursday that it would start... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3354246/singapores-weaponised-drone-trial-spotlights-regional-rush-unmanned-systems?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3354246/singapores-weaponised-drone-trial-spotlights-regional-rush-unmanned-systems?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:22 +0000 Julian Ryall Julian Ryall Japan’s planned deployment of long-range surveillance drones on remote Pacific islands would mark a significant expansion of its ability to monitor Chinese naval activity, as Beijing’s warships operate more frequently beyond the first island chain. The drones are to be stationed on Iwo Jima and Chichijima Island in the Ogasawara chain south of Tokyo, according to a report by the Yomiuri newspaper published on Monday. The airfield on Minamitorishima, about 1,950km (1,211 miles) southeast of Tokyo... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3354156/japan-plans-island-drone-deployment-monitor-chinese-naval-activity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3354156/japan-plans-island-drone-deployment-monitor-chinese-naval-activity?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 May 2026 01:30:12 +0000 Albee Zhang Albee Zhang China’s military mouthpiece has issued a rare warning that personnel may be insufficiently trained to operate new weapons, including unmanned systems, despite Beijing’s rapid advances in hardware. Some military units showed a low level of integration between personnel and equipment, Monday’s PLA Daily article cautioned, highlighting limited trust in systems and weak coordination between human operators and technology. It warned that without proper integration, “even advanced equipment may fail... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3353974/can-pla-training-catch-chinas-rapid-weapon-development?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3353974/can-pla-training-catch-chinas-rapid-weapon-development?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 May 2026 01:00:08 +0000 Alcott Wei Alcott Wei Chinese police have announced the arrests of 16 people suspected of hacking drone systems and vowed a nationwide crackdown on illegal drone use. China’s Ministry of Public Security released details on 10 cases on Monday to warn the public about illegal drone use. The suspects were arrested between January and March. It came as part of a nationwide “Clean Skies” campaign launched by the ministry in December to combat the illegal use of drones. The ministry said that in these cases, suspects used... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3353982/china-arrests-16-drone-hacking-cases-vowing-clean-skies-crackdown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3353982/china-arrests-16-drone-hacking-cases-vowing-clean-skies-crackdown?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 May 2026 11:00:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press A drone strike sparked a fire on the edge of the United Arab Emirates’ sole nuclear power plant on Sunday in what authorities called an “unprovoked terrorist attack”. No one was blamed, but it highlighted the risk of renewed war as the United States and Iran signalled they were ready to fight again. There were no reported injuries or radiological release. The UAE, which has hosted air defences and personnel from Israel, recently accused Iran of launching drone and missile attacks. Tensions have... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3353889/drone-targets-uae-nuclear-power-plant-straining-iran-war-ceasefire?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3353889/drone-targets-uae-nuclear-power-plant-straining-iran-war-ceasefire?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 17 May 2026 12:05:08 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Russia’s capital and the surrounding Moscow region came under record drone attacks overnight, leaving at least three people killed and over a dozen wounded. Residential buildings were damaged across several suburbs and Moscow’s oil refinery was targeted in a rare strike, according to local authorities. Operations at all four Moscow airports faced rolling disruptions from late on Saturday but have resumed operations after dozens of flight cancellations and delays. Attacks on other Russian regions... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3353884/record-ukrainian-drone-attack-moscow-kills-3-targets-refinery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3353884/record-ukrainian-drone-attack-moscow-kills-3-targets-refinery?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 17 May 2026 10:39:46 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Finland warned the public of drones possibly entering its airspace, for the first time near the capital city Helsinki, in the early hours of Friday. Flights were disrupted at the country’s biggest airport, Helsinki-Vantaa, and about 1.8 million residents of southern Finland were told to remain indoors after overnight Ukrainian strikes on Russia near Finland prompted concern that unmanned aircraft had strayed into the country. The emergency warning was issued at 3.49am local time and authorities... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3353703/finland-warns-drone-scare-near-helsinki-fighter-jets-scrambled-flights-diverted?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3353703/finland-warns-drone-scare-near-helsinki-fighter-jets-scrambled-flights-diverted?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 May 2026 09:00:53 +0000 Reuters Reuters Russia carried out its largest aerial attack over a two-day period since the start of its war in Ukraine, pounding the capital Kyiv and other cities with hundreds of drones, Ukrainian officials said on Thursday. Russia had launched 1,567 drones since the start of Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said. At least 27 civilians have been killed over the two days, officials said. Russian ‌President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that the war, which has killed hundreds of thousands... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3353566/russia-unleashes-1500-attack-drones-ukraine-shattering-prospects-peace?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3353566/russia-unleashes-1500-attack-drones-ukraine-shattering-prospects-peace?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 May 2026 09:10:54 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Two national agencies fighting corruption in Ukraine have named Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s former chief of staff as an official suspect in a major corruption investigation. Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office announced late on Monday that Andriy Yermak is suspected of an alleged 460-million-hryvnia (US$10.5 million) money-laundering scheme. The announcement coincided with, but was not connected to, the end of a three-day... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3353287/zelenskys-ex-chief-staff-named-suspect-money-laundering-probe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3353287/zelenskys-ex-chief-staff-named-suspect-money-laundering-probe?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 May 2026 10:32:42 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Russia and Ukraine swapped accusations of breaking a US-brokered ceasefire on Sunday, with both sides claiming to have suffered casualties in drone and artillery strikes over the past 24 hours. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia was neither observing the truce nor “even particularly trying to”, adding there had been no calm in front-line areas despite a lull in large-scale attacks and pledged that Ukraine would retaliate for any aggression shown by Moscow. “Yesterday and... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3353070/ukraine-reports-multiple-casualties-despite-trump-backed-truce-russia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3353070/ukraine-reports-multiple-casualties-despite-trump-backed-truce-russia?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 May 2026 18:01:41 +0000 Reuters Reuters The United States and Iran exchanged fire on Thursday in the most serious test yet of their month-long ceasefire, but Iran said the situation returned to normal while the US said it did not want to escalate. The renewed hostilities broke out as Washington was awaiting Iran’s response to a US proposal that would stop the fighting but leave the most contentious issues, such as Iran’s nuclear programme, unresolved for now. Iran’s military ‌said the US targeted two ships entering the Strait of... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3352823/us-military-says-it-carried-out-retaliatory-strikes-over-unprovoked-hostilities-iran?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3352823/us-military-says-it-carried-out-retaliatory-strikes-over-unprovoked-hostilities-iran?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 May 2026 22:44:37 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Russia told foreign governments and organisations to evacuate diplomatic staff and citizens from Kyiv, saying a retaliatory strike would be inevitable if Ukraine tried to attack Moscow during World War II Victory Day celebrations on May 9. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said late Wednesday that Russia had sent a message to all accredited embassies urging them to take “very, very seriously” a May 4 statement from the Defence Ministry warning of strikes if Ukraine interrupts the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3352705/russia-warns-diplomats-ukraine-capital-evacuate-case-retaliatory-strike?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3352705/russia-warns-diplomats-ukraine-capital-evacuate-case-retaliatory-strike?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 May 2026 05:14:35 +0000 Reuters Reuters Russian attacks throughout eastern Ukraine killed at least 27 people on Tuesday, including 12 in one of the worst strikes so far this year, hours before a midnight deadline ushering in an open-ended ceasefire proposed by Kyiv. Russia announced a ceasefire for May 8 to 9 to coincide with commemorations of the Soviet Union’s ‌victory over Nazi Germany in World War II and a military parade in Moscow’s Red Square. Ukraine, in response, announced a proposal for an open-ended ceasefire starting at... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3352555/russian-attacks-kill-27-ukraine-proposed-rival-ceasefires?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3352555/russian-attacks-kill-27-ukraine-proposed-rival-ceasefires?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 May 2026 02:30:55 +0000 Reuters Reuters Sudan’s armed forces blamed a drone attack ⁠on Monday that targeted Khartoum airport on the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia, the latest in a barrage of assaults in recent days that has shattered months of relative calm in Sudan’s capital, three years into its civil war. Reuters could not independently verify the claims. Neither country immediately commented on the allegations made late on Monday. Sudan has often accused the UAE of supporting Rapid Support ‌Forces (RSF) paramilitaries, a charge... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/3352452/drones-shatter-months-relative-calm-sudans-capital-international-airport-targeted?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/africa/article/3352452/drones-shatter-months-relative-calm-sudans-capital-international-airport-targeted?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 May 2026 05:33:46 +0000 Reuters Reuters President Vladimir Putin on Monday declared a two-day ceasefire in the conflict with Ukraine on May 8-9 to mark Russia’s World War II victory, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky countered with his own proposed pause in fighting starting earlier, on the night of May 5-6. Putin had first spoken of a possible ceasefire coinciding with commemorations of the 81st anniversary of the victory ‌in a phone conversation last week with US President Donald Trump. Ukraine had been wary of the notion... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3352417/russia-orders-ceasefire-ukraine-war-may-8-and-9-coincide-victory-day?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3352417/russia-orders-ceasefire-ukraine-war-may-8-and-9-coincide-victory-day?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2026 19:44:31 +0000 Reuters Reuters Russian troops are inching towards the city of ⁠Kostiantynivka in Ukraine’s eastern ⁠Donetsk region, trying to establish ⁠a foothold close to a heavily defended area, Ukraine’s top army official said on Saturday. Kostiantynivka, along with other cities, forms a so-called fortress belt in the country’s east – an area well-fortified by the Ukrainian military. “We ‌are repelling the Russian occupiers’ persistent attempts to gain a foothold in the outskirts of Kostiantynivka using infiltration... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3352232/russias-inching-advance-ukraine-approaches-eastern-fortress-belt?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3352232/russias-inching-advance-ukraine-approaches-eastern-fortress-belt?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 May 2026 11:50:32 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Hezbollah’s cheap fibre-optic drones are creating new challenges for Israeli troops in southern Lebanon, forcing the military to adapt its tactics against an increasingly lethal threat. The Israeli military – considered one of the most advanced in the world – has confirmed two soldiers and one civilian contractor killed in explosive drone attacks in under a week, with several others wounded despite a ceasefire in place since mid-April. The devices are small, cheap and readily available, like... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3352209/hezbollahs-cheap-drones-pose-challenge-israel-childrens-toys?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/middle-east/article/3352209/hezbollahs-cheap-drones-pose-challenge-israel-childrens-toys?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 May 2026 06:48:13 +0000 Ben Jiang Ben Jiang A sweeping rule change for drones in Beijing, which bars sales in the Chinese capital and requires identity registration linked to each device from Friday, has left sellers and consumers scrambling to cope with some of the country’s toughest regulations on the sector. At a flagship retail store operated by DJI, the world’s largest drone maker, in Beijing’s bustling Guomao area, a shop assistant said that the store had been preparing to clear its shelves of all drone products in accordance with... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3352070/no-drone-zone-dji-consumers-grapple-beijing-sales-ban-and-registration-rule?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3352070/no-drone-zone-dji-consumers-grapple-beijing-sales-ban-and-registration-rule?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 May 2026 13:00:09 +0000 Seong Hyeon Choi Seong Hyeon Choi Israel’s reported deployment of its Iron Dome missile defence battery in the UAE signals a “watershed moment” in Middle Eastern security alignments, analysts say, as the war in Iran highlights the critical role of such air defence systems. Israel sent an Iron Dome air-defence system along with troops to the United Arab Emirates “early in the war with Iran”, Axios said in a report this week citing two Israeli officials and one from the US. The Israeli officials, who were not named, told the US... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3351701/will-israels-use-iron-dome-aid-arab-neighbour-recalibrate-mideast-defence?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3351701/will-israels-use-iron-dome-aid-arab-neighbour-recalibrate-mideast-defence?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 04:00:16 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Ukraine used interceptor systems to shoot down more than 33,000 Russian drones of various types in March, a record monthly figure since Moscow launched its all-out invasion more than four years ago, Ukraine’s defence minister claimed. Ukraine has developed cutting-edge and battle-tested drone technology that has proved essential in holding back Russia’s bigger army and has drawn military interest from around the world. Interceptor drones as part of a comprehensive air defence system are now... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3351755/ukraine-shot-down-33000-russian-drones-1-month-defence-minister?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3351755/ukraine-shot-down-33000-russian-drones-1-month-defence-minister?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:25:46 +0000 Daniel Ren,Iris Deng Daniel Ren,Iris Deng Physical artificial intelligence (AI) – the marriage of advanced machines with “brains” that allow them to interact with their environment – is expanding rapidly in China. It’s fuelling the development of smarter robots, drones and driverless cars that are appearing on roads and factory floors, in the skies and even on stage. Delivery drones have taken flight over cities like southern China’s Shenzhen, while delivery bots are riding city subways. The first autonomous vehicles are plying public... https://www.scmp.com/plus/tech/big-tech/article/3351514/chinas-physical-ai-progress-seen-roads-skies-and-factories?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/tech/big-tech/article/3351514/chinas-physical-ai-progress-seen-roads-skies-and-factories?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 04:26:07 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Strikes across Ukraine, Russian-occupied territory and Russia over the past day killed at least 16 people, authorities said on Sunday as the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster prompted new warnings about risks posed by attacks near the plant during Russia’s more than four-year invasion of its neighbour. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky marked the anniversary with a warning that Russian attacks risk repeating history. “Russia is once again bringing the world to the brink of... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3351499/16-dead-strikes-chernobyl-anniversary-highlights-nuclear-risks-russia-ukraine-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3351499/16-dead-strikes-chernobyl-anniversary-highlights-nuclear-risks-russia-ukraine-war?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 17:57:00 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press People streamed into the central square of Slavutych in the early hours of Sunday, placing candles on a large radiation hazard symbol laid out on the ground as a midnight commemoration began for those killed in the Chernobyl disaster 40 years ago and the thousands who risked deadly radiation exposure to contain its aftermath. Residents show up for the vigil each year despite wartime curfews and official warnings against large gatherings during Russia’s war on Ukraine. The April 26, 1986 disaster... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3351480/ukrainians-gather-remember-chernobyl-disaster-despite-russias-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3351480/ukrainians-gather-remember-chernobyl-disaster-despite-russias-war?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 10:44:14 +0000 Joseph Sipalan Joseph Sipalan Watch a cheap commercial drone destroy a battle tank on the frontlines in Ukraine, or a cut-price Iranian Shahed menace Tel Aviv, then ask yourself why Southeast Asia’s defence ministries are suddenly very interested in unmanned aerial vehicles. The answer was on full display last week at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, where vendors from Abu Dhabi to Pretoria were chasing deals in one of the global arms trade’s hottest emerging markets. “There is huge demand from the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3351322/malaysias-arms-bazaar-drone-dealers-chase-southeast-asian-market-share?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3351322/malaysias-arms-bazaar-drone-dealers-chase-southeast-asian-market-share?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Apr 2026 05:30:08 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Russian strikes across Ukraine killed at least six people, officials said on Saturday, most of them in an attack on a residential building in the eastern city of Dnipro. Over 30 people were injured, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said. Ukraine’s General Staff said Russia launched 47 ballistic and cruise missiles as well as 619 drones of various types. Ukraine has been warding off a full-scale Russian invasion since February 2022. Air raid sirens sounded across the country with residents urged to... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3351422/5-die-ukraine-over-30-wounded-massive-russian-attack?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3351422/5-die-ukraine-over-30-wounded-massive-russian-attack?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Apr 2026 09:56:58 +0000 Iris Deng,Coco Feng Iris Deng,Coco Feng In the southern tech hub of Shenzhen, a simmering rivalry between DJI and Insta360 has transformed their shared neighbourhood into a high-stakes corporate battleground. Both companies have long been hailed as the city’s poster children for Chinese innovation. DJI dominated the skies as the world’s undisputed leader in consumer drones, and Insta360 captured the niche market of panoramic cameras. Now they find themselves locked in a crosstown struggle for market supremacy that some say could... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3351291/dji-duels-insta360-china-sharpens-global-hardware-edge-amid-us-scrutiny?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3351291/dji-duels-insta360-china-sharpens-global-hardware-edge-amid-us-scrutiny?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Apr 2026 22:00:11 +0000 He Huifeng He Huifeng Shortly after the doors opened each day at the ongoing Canton Fair, every corner of the robotics and drone halls quickly filled to capacity, while the new energy pavilion remained densely packed with overseas buyers. Foreign buyers moved slowly between booths, live streaming their encounters with new tech products to social media, queuing to try out the latest devices and in some cases, purchasing samples on the spot at the event, which started last Wednesday. The scenes reflect a broader shift... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350820/chinas-canton-fair-defies-global-trends-overseas-customers-flock-buy-robots-drones?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3350820/chinas-canton-fair-defies-global-trends-overseas-customers-flock-buy-robots-drones?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Apr 2026 02:00:08 +0000 Yuanyue Dang Yuanyue Dang China’s next-generation “drone-carrier” amphibious assault ship is en route to the South China Sea for critical sea trials, the military announced on Tuesday, in the same waters where the US, the Philippines and Japan are conducting large-scale joint military exercises and the aircraft carrier Liaoning is apparently sailing to. “The Sichuan, our country’s first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, has set sail from Shanghai for relevant waters in the South China Sea to carry out scientific research... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3350932/chinas-new-type-076-drone-carrier-take-part-south-china-sea-training-drills?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3350932/chinas-new-type-076-drone-carrier-take-part-south-china-sea-training-drills?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Apr 2026 21:09:29 +0000 Stephen Chen Stephen Chen A new study from mainland China’s internal security forces offers a glimpse into a future where urban unrest is managed by autonomous machines instead of police in riot gear. In a scenario laid out by engineering experts from the People’s Armed Police Force (PAP), a crowd – incited by rumours following a military takeover of a large city – gathers in a central square to assault key government installations. Their protest meets with a swift response: roadblocks are suddenly deployed, cutting off... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3350683/chinas-armed-police-mull-riot-control-without-human-contact-all?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3350683/chinas-armed-police-mull-riot-control-without-human-contact-all?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2026 06:00:11 +0000 Liu Zhen Liu Zhen A Chinese military magazine has suggested that if Taiwan sends a swarm of uncrewed combat boats across the strait – a strategy inspired by Ukraine – Beijing could counter with its GJ-21 stealth attack drones. According to a commentary in Defence Review, the GJ-21 has long endurance and high manoeuvrability, which would give it a critical advantage against a “game changing” swarm attack by unmanned surface vessels. The GJ-21 – a naval variant of the GJ-11 Sharp Sword – is the world’s first and... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3350616/how-pla-may-use-stealth-drones-swarming-boat-attack-taiwan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3350616/how-pla-may-use-stealth-drones-swarming-boat-attack-taiwan?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Apr 2026 12:00:09 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung Hong Kong police have deployed drones for the first time to combat illegal street gambling operations, arresting eight suspects over the past two weeks. The eight suspects – seven men and a woman, aged between 53 and 76 – were arrested in Chung On Estate, police said on Sunday. Officers seized HK$420 (US$54) in cash and gambling equipment. The arrests followed a joint operation, codenamed JusticePeak, conducted between April 5 and 18 by officers from the Sha Tin and Ma On Shan police divisions... https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3350620/hong-kong-police-use-drones-first-time-tackle-illicit-street-gambling?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3350620/hong-kong-police-use-drones-first-time-tackle-illicit-street-gambling?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Apr 2026 08:54:29 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung Hong Kong’s food hygiene authorities have deployed drones to help dismantle an illegal slaughterhouse in Yuen Long, arresting its 67-year-old operator and seizing 7.4kg of goat meat and offal with an estimated market value of HK$3,000 (US$380). Acting on a tip-off earlier this week, officers from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department identified a suspicious farm in Kam Tin, Yuen Long. The unlicensed premises were allegedly used to keep and slaughter goats, with the meat to be sold in Kam... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3350471/hong-kong-authorities-use-drones-help-raid-illegal-slaughterhouse-yuen-long?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3350471/hong-kong-authorities-use-drones-help-raid-illegal-slaughterhouse-yuen-long?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:10:53 +0000 Maria Siow Maria Siow The recent discovery of a Chinese underwater drone in Indonesia’s waters serves as a wake-up call for Jakarta to strengthen its undersea defence capabilities, analysts have said. Indonesia, however, is likely to remain silent on the find and resolve the issue through “quiet diplomacy”, according to observers. Last week, an Indonesian fisherman found a Chinese unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) in the Lombok Strait, a key waterway leading to Australia. Marked with the letters “CSIC”, the drone is... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3350349/chinese-drone-exposes-indonesias-insufficient-undersea-capabilities?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3350349/chinese-drone-exposes-indonesias-insufficient-undersea-capabilities?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:24:05 +0000 Reuters Reuters Russia unleashed its deadliest attack so far this year on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and other cities overnight, killing 17 people, including a 12-year-old child, and wounding scores, in drone and missile strikes, officials said on Thursday. In Russia, a major Ukrainian drone attack on the Black Sea port of Tuapse killed two people, including a 14-year-old girl, injured seven, and sparked a large fire, Russian ‌officials and media reported. The port is home to a major oil refinery as well as an... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3350297/russian-missiles-and-drones-kill-least-16-across-ukraine-worst-attack-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3350297/russian-missiles-and-drones-kill-least-16-across-ukraine-worst-attack-year?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 07:55:47 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A Ukrainian unit said on Wednesday that it has carried out more than 100 attacks on the front using ground robots, after President Volodymyr Zelensky recently hailed the capture of a Russian position thanks to this new method. “In total, there have already been over 100 such operations,” said a source within the NC-13 company, which specialises in the use of these combat machines and is part of Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade. “These operations include the elimination of enemy personnel, the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3350228/ukraine-unit-says-it-has-launched-over-100-robot-attacks-russias-forces?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3350228/ukraine-unit-says-it-has-launched-over-100-robot-attacks-russias-forces?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Apr 2026 20:40:10 +0000 Alcott Wei Alcott Wei Japan is planning to replace some of its attack helicopters with multipurpose drones, prompting warnings from some Chinese media outlets and analysts that this could be seen as a hostile move. The country’s defence budget, which took effect on April 7 for this financial year, allocates 11.1 billion yen (US$70 million) for the procurement of five wide-area unmanned aerial vehicles. A further 280 billion yen was allocated for research and development into “unmanned asset defence... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3350063/should-china-be-worried-japan-starts-replacing-helicopters-drones?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3350063/should-china-be-worried-japan-starts-replacing-helicopters-drones?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:00:19 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A truce between Russia and Ukraine to mark the Orthodox Easter formally expired on Monday, both sides having accused each other of thousands of violations, despite a lull in Russian air raids. The truce lasted 32 hours, from 4pm on Saturday until the end of the day on Sunday. Both sides had agreed to observe the ceasefire, which Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered on Thursday and which Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky proposed more than a week earlier. But as with a similar... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3349820/russia-and-ukraine-accuse-each-other-violating-putins-easter-ceasefire?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3349820/russia-and-ukraine-accuse-each-other-violating-putins-easter-ceasefire?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 Apr 2026 19:44:53 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Ukrainians on Friday were wary of Russia’s pledge to pause fighting for an Orthodox Easter ceasefire – first proposed by Kyiv – this weekend. The Kremlin said it had ordered a temporary truce to be in effect from Saturday afternoon until the end of Sunday, a 32-hour period during which Russia would stop fighting “in all directions”. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky – who has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in the four-year war – said Kyiv was willing to reciprocate. But in Kyiv there was... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3349710/ukrainians-sceptical-russias-putin-orders-easter-truce?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3349710/ukrainians-sceptical-russias-putin-orders-easter-truce?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:06:03 +0000 Julian Ryall Julian Ryall Russia’s protest over a proposed investment by a Japanese company in a Ukrainian drone maker signals its concern that Tokyo may be supporting closer cooperation with Kyiv’s defence sector and planning to lift a long-standing ban on weapon exports, according to an international relations expert. On Wednesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko registered Moscow’s protest in a meeting with Akira Muto, the Japanese ambassador to Russia. Muto “rebutted” the protest, according to a Jiji... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3349578/why-japanese-firms-tie-ukrainian-drone-maker-sparks-concerns-russia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3349578/why-japanese-firms-tie-ukrainian-drone-maker-sparks-concerns-russia?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Apr 2026 03:00:08 +0000 Meredith Chen Meredith Chen A Chinese underwater drone was caught by an Indonesian fisherman near a key waterway leading to Australia on Monday, local media reported. The discovery of the “torpedo-like” object near the Lombok Strait comes at a time of increasing Chinese underwater activity in sensitive areas. The waterway between Bali and Lombok is closely watched by the United States and Australia. It is one of the few deepwater routes that can accommodate submarine transits at operational depth and is also suitable for... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3349290/indonesian-fisherman-nets-surprise-catch-chinese-underwater-drone?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3349290/indonesian-fisherman-nets-surprise-catch-chinese-underwater-drone?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2026 01:00:09 +0000 Park Chan-kyong Park Chan-kyong The latest indirect exchange of comments between North and South Korea has raised hopes of easing tensions on the Korean peninsula even as conflict roils other parts of the globe. Hours after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret over drone incursions into the North on Monday, Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, issued a warm statement. The powerful politician welcomed Lee’s remarks as “extremely fortunate and a wise move”, citing her brother as praising Lee’s... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3349224/whats-behind-sudden-thaw-north-south-korea-exchange-warm-words?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3349224/whats-behind-sudden-thaw-north-south-korea-exchange-warm-words?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:24:16 +0000 Agencies Agencies Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on ⁠Monday that he ⁠stood by a ⁠proposal made to Russia for a ceasefire contingent on Moscow halting all attacks on energy infrastructure. Zelensky said in his nightly video address that the proposal had ‌been conveyed to Moscow through the US. He also said work was continuing with US negotiators on security guarantees, which he called the key to lasting peace. Ukraine has been fighting a full-scale Russian invasion for more than four years. Due to... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3349194/3-dead-15-injured-russia-hits-ukraines-port-city-odesa-major-drone-strike?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3349194/3-dead-15-injured-russia-hits-ukraines-port-city-odesa-major-drone-strike?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Apr 2026 17:13:04 +0000