The Army is using drones from a Chinese company that has been sanctioned for supplying the Kremlin’s war effort in Ukraine, it has emerged.

The Ministry of Defence has purchased drones from Autel Robotics, which was last week added to the sanctions list with measures including an asset freeze.

Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, was last month seen piloting an Autel drone at an army base used to train Ukrainian recruits, alongside Jon Healey, the Defence Secretary.

The drones have also been used by police forces in Nottinghamshire and Wiltshire. All the vehicles were purchased before the sanctions were imposed.

Autel, one of the world’s biggest drone manufacturers, says its drones are not designed for military use, but they have been widely used on both sides during the war in Ukraine.