Trade for billions: how China supports Russia’s military machine in the war against Ukraine

Chinese companies are secretly supplying Russia with components for drone production, despite international sanctions. In 2023-2024 alone, Russian firms received at least $63 million worth of parts. This allows Moscow to deploy large-scale production of drones, which are used daily for terror against Ukraine.

This is reported by The Telegraph.

Journalists found out that almost a quarter of the cost of the supplies — more than $14 million — went to the needs of Russian companies involved in the creation of Iranian “shaheeds”, in particular, to enterprises in the Alabuga special economic zone in Yelabuga. It is here that adapted Russian drones “Harpy” and “Gerbera”, which are based on Iranian developments and equipped with Chinese engines, are currently assembled.

Among the suppliers are dozens of Chinese companies, including Changzhou Utek Composite, Taishan Fiberglass, Jilin Hongsheng Trading, and Hebei Jigao. They sent fiberglass and carbon fiber products to Russia, which are needed to make UAV bodies. Other companies, such as Harbin Bin-Au Technology and Shandong Xinyilu International Trade, supplied aircraft engines.

Some Russian importers, including Ural Civil Aviation and Radioline, are under global sanctions. Despite this, they received electronics, batteries, and other critical components from China. For example, Mile Hao Xiang Technology sold more than $1.7 million in drone engines in 2022–2023, while one Russian firm, Alabuga-Fiber LLC, imported more than 3,000 tons of carbon fiber from China.

Experts estimate that the actual volume of cooperation could be much higher, as China and Russia do not publish full trade data. In 2024, total trade between the countries reached a record $282 billion , confirming Beijing’s strategic support for Moscow.

Analysts say drones allow Russia to overload Ukrainian air defenses, use decoys to distract systems, and more precisely strike critical infrastructure. In addition to physical losses, this also creates an environment of constant psychological pressure on the Ukrainian population.

By the way, the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine reported that thanks to cooperation with Chinese companies, Russia receives critically important resources for the military industry . These include special chemicals for the production of explosives, electronic components, and machine tools that are directly used in the production of weapons and military equipment.

Earlier, it became known in the media that China is against the end of Russia’s war with Ukraine, as the conflict is exhausting Russia and the United States , while at the same time creating strategic advantages for Beijing.

As is known, China continues to actively support the Russian Federation . Although there are no direct supplies of weapons, the PRC provides dual-use goods used in the production of Russian drones, including equipment, parts, and machine tools.

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