DJI is in an awkward position in the clash between Ukraine e Russia. We have seen how the first controversy to the company regarding the use of DJI AeroScope. The Chinese drone giant has sold its devices to both Russia and Ukraine. Clearly, as previously stated by the CEO Frank Wang, all drones sold are not used for military purposes even if some uses for this purpose can be made. Now the country that suffers most of all asks DJI to block Russian drones.
DJI has sold drones to both Ukraine and Russia, however the former is asking for help by blocking the latter's devices.
Mykhailo Fedoroy, minister and deputy premier of Ukraine, asked DJI, through an open letter also published on Twitter, to block the company's drones which are owned by the Russians. Below is the complete letter.
Ukraine's request to DJI
Dear Mr. Wang, Ukraine is now at the forefront of defending the principles of humanity and freedom in the face of the war waged by the Russian Federation. Now we are going through unprecedented and difficult conditions [ed] when the hostile armed forces of the neighboring country invaded Ukraine and for 19 consecutive days they attack and severely destroy infrastructure objects, civil buildings and kill our people. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, 79 children have been killed and nearly 100 wounded by Russian troops. More than 2100 civilians were killed in the city of Mariupol alone. There is no end to the bombing of maternity hospitals, schools, universities, skyscrapers, markets.
Socially responsible business always upholds the values of humanity, responsibility and peace. We believe your company shares them too. Now, responsibility is choice, the choice that defines the future. And now, more than ever, people's lives depend on your choice.
Socially responsible business always upholds the values of humanity, responsibility and peace. We believe your company shares them too. Now, responsibility is choice, the choice that defines the future. And now, more than ever, people's lives depend on your choice.
The Russian military uses an extended version of DJI AeroScope which was taken from Syria. The distance is up to 50 km.
And they are using DJI drones in Ukraine to guide their missile to kill civilians. There is a lot of evidence of those actions of nonhumanity on the Russian side. We can provide it. The whole world is shocked. Our efforts are directed to those subjects who are truly capable of accepting and sharing the pain of the Ukrainian people and of giving us a hand. "
It then continues with a series of more specific requests.
We kindly ask you to provide us with information regarding:
- the number of DJI drones operating in Ukraine, their ID, where and when they were purchased and activated;
- the map (in the regions of Ukraine) of DJI products operating in Ukraine;
- is there a problem with activating a new DJI product in Ukraine?
The situation is really critical. There have been instances where all DJI products have been shut down (for example, the war in Georgia).
So we also ask: ignition for Ukrainian users DJI Aeroscope function; block all DJI products operating in Ukraine that were purchased and activated outside Ukraine; block all DJI products purchased and activated in the Russian Federation, Syria and Lebanon
DJI's response to Ukraine
Unfortunately, DJI's response was not what was hoped for. If on the one hand he reiterated that drones are not usable for military purposes, on the other hand he reiterated that he has no power to deactivate anything as requested by Ukraine:
All DJI products are designed for civilian use and do not meet military specifications. The visibility given by AeroScope and future Remote ID requirements is one more reason why their use for military missions is inappropriate.
The DJI AeroScope system is integrated into all recent DJI drones and transmits information about a drone in flight to the AeroScope receivers. This feature cannot be turned off. DJI has not changed the functionality of our AeroScope system in Ukraine in any way and many Ukrainian AeroScope units are still functional. DJI's sales and service in Ukraine were consistent and unchanged.
Please understand that DJI cannot obtain user information and flight data unless the user actively submits them to us. We do not have the ability to identify and verify the location of a user, and therefore we do not store the data you have requested.
If the Ukrainian government formally requests that DJI install geofencing throughout Ukraine, we will arrange it according to our policy. It would apply to all DJI drones in Ukraine, regardless of who is piloting them, but it may not stop all flights. Please note that geofencing is not foolproof and if the user does not connect to the internet to update the geofence data, the new geofence will have no effect for the drone.
Through | Quadcopter News
