Russia is reportedly sourcing more than 90% of sanctioned technologies through China, underscoring Moscow’s growing dependence on Beijing as its war against Ukraine drags on.
Bloomberg, citing “people familiar with the matter,” said the share of sanctioned goods entering Russia via China has risen from about 80% last year to more than 90%, though they did not provide a detailed breakdown of the specific technologies involved.
The outlet said the increase was driven by the EU’s crackdown on Russia’s previous sanctions-evasion routes.
Bloomberg’s report echoes recent remarks from officials at a closed-door meeting at Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, leaked by a Ukrainian prankster. During the meeting, one official admitted that nearly all electrical components used in Russian drones are sourced from abroad, before another added that even the plastics were imported from China.
The trend suggests Russia is relying increasingly on Chinese support to sustain and expand the production of weapons systems, including missiles and drones.
The EU has imposed wide‑ranging sanctions aimed at preventing Russia from acquiring key technologies needed to manufacture or operate weapons, such as semiconductors, integrated circuits, electronics, and specialized equipment.
The bloc has also sanctioned companies in several countries – including China and Hong Kong – accused of helping Moscow circumvent those restrictions. Despite these measures, the sources said China has continued to provide support that enables Russia to maintain its military capabilities.
Beijing has supplied Russia with geospatial intelligence data, satellite imagery of military targets, and drones, while at the same time reducing exports of drones to Ukraine and other countries, according to an earlier Bloomberg report.
The report said many EU member states remain reluctant to impose tougher sanctions on China, citing concerns over possible economic retaliation from Beijing.
China has repeatedly said it does not recognize international sanctions and maintains that it conducts normal trade relations with Russia. Earlier this month, Beijing said it would take unspecified steps after the EU added several Chinese firms to its latest sanctions package.
This analysis comes amid the European Commission welcoming the adoption of the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia, which for the first time includes a mechanism specifically designed to counter the circumvention of sanctions.