U.S. Takes Action Against Chinese Companies for Manufacturing Weapons for Russia

U.S. Takes Action Against Chinese Companies for Manufacturing Weapons for Russia.

The United States has sanctioned two China-based drone suppliers and their alleged Russian associates, marking the first time it has penalized Chinese companies for providing complete weapons systems to Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

For some time, Washington has accused China of supporting Russia’s military efforts by supplying dual-use goods and components that could be repurposed for weapon manufacturing—an accusation Beijing has consistently denied. However, in a recent announcement, the U.S. Treasury Department stated that these Chinese firms were directly involved in supplying arms to Moscow.

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According to the Treasury, the Chinese companies collaborated with Russian defense firms to produce the “Garpiya series” of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These drones, designed and manufactured in China, were subsequently sent to Russia for battlefield deployment.

“The Garpiya has been used by Russia in its brutal war against Ukraine, targeting critical infrastructure and resulting in significant casualties,” the statement noted.

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Previously, the U.S. had imposed sanctions on Chinese entities providing critical components to Russia’s military-industrial base. However, this is the first instance of U.S. sanctions being applied to Chinese entities directly engaged in the development and production of complete weapons systems in collaboration with Russian firms.

In a conversation with CNN, a sales representative for one of the sanctioned companies denied any involvement in producing engines for Garpiya drones or exporting products to Russia.

The other sanctioned firm, Redlepus Vector Industry Shenzhen Co., is accused of collaborating with a Russian defense company to facilitate the drones’ shipment to Russia. The U.S. Treasury Department also claimed that Redlepus shipped various components to Russia that could be used in drones, including aircraft engines and electronic parts, through the Russian defense firm TSK Vektor.

When CNN reached out for comment, a representative from Redlepus disconnected the call.

Additionally, the U.S. imposed sanctions on the owner of TSK Vektor, a Russian national, and another company he operates. TSK Vektor had previously been sanctioned last December for assisting Russia in acquiring attack drones.

“We have observed for some time that Chinese companies provide components to Russian firms, which then use these to manufacture machinery and weapons that could be deployed in the conflict,” said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller during a press briefing. “This is the first instance where we’ve identified a Chinese company manufacturing a weapon used directly on the battlefield by Russia.”

Tensions with Beijing

China has denied allegations of supplying weapons to Russia, asserting that it maintains strict export controls on military products. The Chinese embassy in Washington refuted the recent accusations, claiming that the U.S. is making false statements regarding China’s normal trade practices with Russia while simultaneously providing substantial military aid to Ukraine. Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu labeled this behavior as hypocritical and indicative of a double standard.

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China’s support for Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has strained relations with the U.S., even as Beijing has sought to portray itself as neutral in the situation. Despite this stance, China has strengthened its political, economic, and military ties with Russia, becoming its largest trading partner and providing essential support to Russia’s heavily sanctioned economy. In recent months, the two nuclear-armed nations have significantly increased joint military exercises.

In a recent meeting in Beijing, Chinese and Russian defense officials reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation. “We share common views, a common assessment of the situation, and a mutual understanding of our collaborative needs,” said Russian defense chief Andrey Belousov during discussions with Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, as reported by the state-run news agency Tass.

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