Reports of aid to Russia undermine China's claimed neutrality on war in Ukraine – ISW

Media reports about Beijing's assistance to Moscow undermine China's attempts to portray itself as a "neutral mediator" in the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Details: Western officials are continuing to emphasise the efforts of the People's Republic of China to support Russia's military operations in Ukraine.

According to The Times, Western officials have uncovered that a Chinese company is sending military drones to Russia for testing and possible use by Russian forces against Ukraine.

A Western official noted that the Chinese company had entered into an agreement with Russia in 2023 and that there was "clear evidence that PRC companies are supplying Russia with deadly weapons for use in Ukraine".

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted that China and Hong Kong account for nearly 70% of Russia’s machine tool imports and 90% of its microelectronics imports. These critical components are utilised by Russia in the production of missiles, armoured vehicles, and ammunition.

Blinken criticised China's contradictory stance, pointing out that while it claims to advocate for peace in Ukraine, it allows Chinese companies to engage in activities that bolster Russia's war effort.

Quote from ISW: "The PRC has repeatedly attempted to depict itself as a neutral mediator in the war in Ukraine, and continued reports of PRC aid to Russia's war effort undermine this claim."

To quote the ISW’s Key Takeaways on 28 September:

• Western officials continue to highlight efforts by the People's Republic of China (PRC) to support the Russian war effort in Ukraine.
• Ukrainian media reported on 28 September that unspecified Russian resistance movements, in coordination with the Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR), killed the Head of the Russian Ministry of Defence's (MoD) 924th State Centre for Unmanned Aviation Colonel Aleksei Kolomeystev in Kolomna, Moscow Oblast.
• The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) strongly condemned on 28 September Israel’s "political assassination" of Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.
• Russian forces recently marginally advanced in Kursk Oblast.
• Russian forces recently advanced near Kupiansk, Selydove, and Vuhledar.
• Russia is reportedly implementing legislation that allows Russian authorities to release those accused of crimes from criminal liabilities if the accused signs a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD).

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