China, Turkey and others: which countries give to the Russian MIC - The Economist

Russia has increased production capacity for missiles and other equipment. It is almost impossible to make all the transactions of sanctions, as Ukrainian manufacturers can be affected. Western sanctions have not stopped the Russian military-industrial complex, but it thrives more. The production of weapons in the Russian Federation is increasing. About it reports The Economist. Russia has increased production capacity for missile production.

It was made possible by new suppliers of electronics and equipment that are sold through a complex network of shell companies. The study of the Center for Strategic and International Research (CSIS) shows that many of the Russian Federation receives from China. Chinese companies supply semiconductors to the Russian Federation, which are crucial for creating various weapons. They also provided navigation equipment, jet parts and other things in the type of ball bearings.

The latter are used in artillery tools. Transaction records indicate that the import of precision production equipment used for critically important equipment, such as CNC machines. They are mostly supplied by China. From March to July 2023, more than 10,000 transactions related to the equipment came from China to the Russian Federation. But the real number of machines can be much higher, because each transactions can have several names.

Graphics indicate that Russian imports began to grow after President Vladimir Putin announced a partial mobilization in September 2022. But a burst of supply from China came in March 2023, when Xi Jinping met with Putin in Moscow. China claims that it adheres to neutrality in the war and does not supply weapons. But the export of these small goods confirms that it makes a much greater contribution to the Kremlin's military machine.

Anthony Blinken, US Secretary of State, has already reproached China for being "the main supplier of" Russian "defense industrial base". Trade with China is not the only problem for Western countries trying to interfere with Russia's defense industry. Despite its widespread export control, in 2023 Russia still received many components of Western production.

For example, goods from France, Germany and Japan have come to Russia through third countries, such as Turkey and the United Arab Emirates that have not subscribed. to Western sanctions. The study of the Royal United Services Institute, published in December, showed that JSC "Kompel", one of the leading Russian distributors of microelectronics, imported huge volumes of Western microelectronics not only through Hong Kong, but also through Germany.

However, it is difficult to impose cruel sanctions against the Russian Federation for two reasons: the Russian Federation is looking for technologies that are used for civilian purposes, the flow of which is difficult to limit in international supply chains. The second reason is whether further restrictions on Chinese companies to Ukrainian manufacturers, which are also partially dependent on China. Recall that the media wrote how Chinese hypersonic drone WZ-8 is dangerous for the United States.