Thread by @ChrisO_wiki

1/ Russia's Federal Customs Service is seeking to prosecute Russian volunteers who are importing reconnaissance drones from China to give to frontline troops. It's the latest chapter in a saga of bureaucratic obstruction that is blocking vital supplies to the Russian army. ⬇️

2/ Much of the army's equipment, and many of its drones, are purchased with private money by volunteer supporters or the soldiers themselves. High-tech equipment such as drones and communications equipment is purchased in China or Central Asia and imported into Russia.

3/ However, the Federal Customs Service has been a major blocker. Increased customs checks on the borders have meant that cargo trucks have suffered delays of days or even weeks, drastically slowing the provision of essential supplies for the Russian army.

4/ The Two Majors Charitable Foundation – an offshoot of the well-known Telegram channel – writes:

"One summer in 2025, we, the Two Majors Charitable Foundation, purchased two FPV drones. They were night-vision drones with a good camera and payload capacity."

5/ "We tested them with a combat unit as reconnaissance drones, not disposable kamikaze drones.

6/ "We received very positive feedback, as they were good for reconnaissance and surveillance at night, and they were successful in feeding troops thanks to their payload capacity, and the price was five times cheaper than a night-vision Mavic.

7/ "In September 2025, we purchased 12 drones from a supplier in China to distribute to combat units; they were eagerly awaiting them.

At first, China couldn't release the drones, barely, and now our Skhodny customs office isn't clearing them.

8/ "We've written official letters from the "Two Majors" charity foundation—they're not working. We've sent official letters from military units — they're not working.

9/ "They're supposedly waiting for a coded message from the UPMI [Directorate of Military Representatives of the Ministry of Defence], but they can't even officially hand over the drones to the UPMI. It's a dead end everywhere.

10/ "Today, a customs broker told me that customs is planning to open a criminal case for smuggling!

We weren't transporting the drones for sale or illegal use, but simply to hand them over to units, as there's a pressing shortage of night-vision drones.

11/ "We've been struggling for six months just to get drones to the front. Our colleagues are also stuck in a lot of trouble; a lot has been confiscated, including electronic warfare parts and drone parts. There are no official procedures, it's simply not allowed.

12/ "You know, the periods of anger and resentment over injustice are long gone. I've been overcome with such extreme fatigue.

Compared to all the other news, everything seems so hopeless.

13/ "I used to be able to motivate the fighters in private messages, but now they're writing to me, and I don't know what to say and I have no counter. It's better to just keep quiet." /end

Source:
t.me/front_narod/52…