Russia and China have stepped up military cooperation. One illustration of this is the numerous Chinese components that are found in downed Russian drones. According to The Economist, China is the most important, and perhaps even decisive, assistant to the Russian military machine.
The publication recalls that in the past, Russian Shaheds were stuffed with American microelectronics smuggled through Asia in circumvention of sanctions. However, now they are equipped with Chinese parts. Citing the GUR, it is reported that antennas made in China were found on Shaheds this year.
“One example contained only two American components out of fifteen,” the article says.
The journalists conclude that China has thrown caution to the wind in providing military assistance to Russia: if earlier Russian requests for assistance and equipment were rejected, there were no large-scale deliveries of ready-made ammunition or lethal assistance, now China has crossed this line.
Western officials told The Economist that since 2023, China’s support for Russia has included critical weapons components and civilian drones. This is documented through the remains of downed weapons and through shipment tracking. The officials also pointed to “a small number of artillery munitions and military drones.”
The Economist calls the situation with military drones alarming. The publication recalls that the cooperation was confirmed by US and UK intelligence.
“Chinese components and tools are important to Russia. In a recent briefing for a small group of journalists, including The Economist, President Zelensky claimed that ‘Chinese representatives’ are present at production facilities in Russia. A European defense official confirms this, adding that China is keen to test the effectiveness of its materials on a live battlefield,” the article says.
In addition, the journalists write, China’s increased military support for Russian arms manufacturers reflects the fact that Ukraine may have also purchased Chinese components at the beginning of the war. However, since September last year, Ukraine, unlike Russia, has faced restrictions due to tightening export conditions.
A Ukrainian official told the publication that China has stepped up cooperation with Russia in other areas as well. According to the official, China is helping Russia produce explosives and fiber optic cables.
“In return, China is learning valuable lessons. China will want to get its hands on American precision-guided missiles, European cruise missiles, and the like. There are also signs of cooperation in areas such as space technology that were previously under the radar,” the article says.
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