The Telegraph: China supplies to Russia helicopters, drones and metals

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian companies received tens of thousands of deliveries from China. We are talking about companies that produce missile systems, armored vehicles and strategic bombers. Among these companies there are those that are under Western sanctions. This is stated in the investigation of The Telegraph.

The trade between China and Russia this year will exceed 200 billion dollars, which will become a new record, the publication notes. The export of goods that can potentially be used in the military sphere has grown more than three times a year - from June last year to June this year.

According to the Molfar Global research organization, two months before the war, the Chinese company Shantou Honghu Plastics sent a thousand drones to Russia. On social networks and on its website, this company calls itself a wholesale seller of children's toys. Drones were sent to a Russian company called "Samson", which also positions itself as a wholesale merchant toys. The publication suggests that this is a front company, its authorized capital is only 10 thousand rubles.

Four days after the start of the war in Ukraine, the Chinese company Hems999 sent two helicopters to Russia. Another Chinese company, Tianjin Huarong Aviation, has set up four Airbus helicopters since the beginning of the war. The equipment was obtained by the Russian Ural Helicopter, the main customer of which is the Russian Guard.

According to the investigation, from the beginning of 2022 to the first quarter of 2023, Chinese companies sent optical sights to more than 50 Russian companies. The import of these products in 2022 increased almost doubled compared to the previous one and amounted to 2.5 million dollars.

Most of the optical sights, about 2500, was delivered by Yiwu Wojie Optics Instrument. The recipient is the Russian company CEK, which previously supplied such goods and night vision devices of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. The documents indicate that this equipment is intended for hunting, but, as notes The Telegraph, it can be adapted to combat weapons.

In 2022, China exported to Russia products from titanium alloys in the amount of $ 18 million, which is almost twice as much as in 2021. Light and heat -resistant titanium alloys are one of the main materials that are used for the production of military aircraft and weapons.

According to the publication, titanium sheets and rods were delivered from China to the Start NPP. This enterprise is developing anti-aircraft missile systems and is part of the Rostec state corporation. The titanium products were also sent to S7 Technics, which is engaged in the maintenance and repair of aircraft. The publication claims that S7 also works on the production of spare parts for aircraft so that Russian airlines can support their park in working condition after the imposition of sanctions.

Chinese companies also sent parties of Magnes, Tupolev, which builds and helps to maintain distant bombers, such as the Tu-95 and Tu-160M. These bombers were used to strike winged missiles on the territory of Ukraine.

Companies associated with manufactured vehicles of KAMAZ and armored personnel carriers of KAMAZ Typhoon received at least 520 batches from China (spare parts, welding machines and laser machines that can be used to produce weapons and military equipment). The Magnitogorsk Metallurgical Plant, which is located under sanctions, also received deliveries from China.

In addition, according to the publication, China can supply raw materials to Russia through third countries. It is reported that Beijing and Moscow conducted secret negotiations with Iran on the supply of ammonium perchlorate - this chemical compound is used to drive ballistic missiles. If this transaction is concluded, it will be hidden from official trading registers.

• The Western media have repeatedly written that China, despite the position of neutrality in relation to the Russian war with Ukraine, supplies Moscow, supplies military equipment and equipment. China rejects all charges of military support of Russia.