China sharply increases sales of technologies to Russia to help it on battlefield – media
US data show that China has sharply increased its sales of machine tools to Russia, as well as microelectronics and other technologies that Moscow uses to produce missiles, tanks, aircraft and other weapons for its war against Ukraine.
Source: Two US officials spoke on condition of anonymity to a number of media outlets, including AR and Reuters, European Pravda reports
Details: The sources of the media outlets reported that Russia received about 90% of its microelectronics imports from China in 2023. In addition, almost 70% of Russian imports of machine tools worth about $900 million in the last quarter of 2023 were also of Chinese origin.
Furthermore, Chinese and Russian companies are working on joint production of drones in Russia, and Chinese companies are likely to provide Russia with nitrocellulose needed to make rocket fuel.
Beijing is working with Russia to improve its satellite and other space capabilities for the war in Ukraine. This, the White House reported, could in the long run increase the threat Russia has been posing to the whole of Europe.
The US officials, citing intelligence reports, also said that China was providing satellite imagery to Russia for its military operations against Ukraine.
Background: The FT reported, citing unnamed officials, that Blinken, in discussions with his EU and NATO counterparts, had reported China's assistance to Russia "at a concerning scale". This included assistance in the production of optical equipment, propellants, and space equipment.
At the same time, the United States sees no evidence that China is providing Russia with direct military support.
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