A senior NATO official told reporters in Brussels that China remains a linchpin in sustaining Russia’s defense industry—a relationship NATO says has become a decisive factor enabling Moscow to wage the war in Ukraine, Ukrainian defense outlet Militarnyi reported on October 14.
According to the official, roughly 80% of the critical electronic components used in Russian drones and other modern systems are manufactured in China. He also said Beijing has supplied Russia with more than $20 billion in production tools, components, and consumables since 2023—shipments that, in NATO’s assessment, have materially expanded Moscow’s ability to produce tanks, armored vehicles, and missiles.
“About 80% of the critical electronic components used in Russian drones and other modern equipment are made in China. Since 2023 Russia has purchased more than $20 billion in manufacturing tools, components, and consumables,” the official said.
NATO officials described Beijing’s assistance as multi-faceted: direct exports of components and equipment, production by Chinese subsidiaries of Western firms, and re-exports routed through third countries. Those channels, the alliance says, have allowed Russia to scale production despite sanctions and supply-chain hurdles.
The NATO official also accused China of aiding Moscow through non-kinetic means, including disinformation and cyber operations directed at alliance members.
Everything is made in China. China can make a difference. They just don’t want to.
Obviously not and as a European that saddens me, I’d much rather see them take the side of Ukraine. It’s fair to call them out on standing with the agressor, and I’m glad we do - but the argument of ‘oh my god i can’t believe China is siding with another autocratic leader and not the countries that have been critical of how we treat minorities’-stance is a bit weird. We don’t have real friends on the global stage (anymore) and should accept that other players do things we don’t like / don’t do what we want them to do.