Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Ukraine Alleges China Provides Arms to Russian Manufacturers; China Counters by Denouncing Baseless Accusations
Ukraine Alleges China Supplies Critical Materials to Russian MilitaryFactories
According to Ukraine's foreign intelligence service, Russia's arms industry is receiving significant support from China. Oleh Ivashchenko, the head of the service, asserted in an interview with Ukrinform news agency that Ukraine has evidence pointing to China providing crucial materials and equipment to 20 Russian military factories.
Ivashchenko mentioned that these supplies include tooling machines, special chemical products, gunpowder, and components specifically intended for defense manufacturing industries. He confirmed the data on 20 Russian factories.
China dismissed these allegations during a regular press conference, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stating that the country never provided lethal weapons to any parties involved in the conflict in Ukraine. Mao emphasized China's opposition to unfounded accusations and political manipulation.
Previously, Ukraine accused China of providing direct military assistance to Russia's arms industry last month. Ivashchenko's recent comments attend to these earlier claims.
Although China has portrayed itself as neutral and denied any involvement in the war, trade and economic cooperation with Russia have increased since the latter's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In contrast, Western countries have imposed extensive sanctions on Moscow.
The Ukrainian government has consistently suggested that China supports the war effort. Previously, Kyiv alleged that Chinese citizens were helping in the production of drones.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's Air Force reported a record number of Russian drone attacks overnight on Sunday. According to the report, Russian forces deployed 298 drones and 69 missiles, but the Air Force claimed to have successfully downed 266 drones and 45 missiles. Independent verification of these figures was not possible. Ukraine stated that the attack was the largest of the war in terms of weapons fired.
- Despite China's denial, ongoing war-and-conflicts news reports suggest increasing ties between China and Russia's arms industry, as Ukraine's allegations of Chinese supply of critical materials to 20 Russian military factories continue to surface in general-news.
- Politics surrounding the conflict in Ukraine is further fueled by Ukraine's consistent claims that China provides direct military assistance or critical materials, such as tooling machines and special chemical products, to Russia's defense industry.
- As the war in Ukraine continues, Ukraine's economic and political narrative revolves around the possibility of China supporting the war effort, despite China's denial, a concern stemming from various accusations, including evidence of Chinese citizens involved in drone production in Russia.
