WSJ: China and Turkey supply Russia with technology for military equipment

Chinese state-owned and private companies are supplying sanctioned Russian companies with navigation equipment, radar and jamming technology, fighter jet parts, and chips that can be used in military equipment.

And last year Turkish companies sold equipment, electronics, spare parts, and other supplies that the Russian armed forces needed. Among them are American products that are banned from being supplied to Russia.

Source. The Wall Street Journal writes about this on the basis of customs data.

Details. In the case of China, the WSJ analyzed more than 84,000 shipments from the database of the Federal Customs Service of Russia since the beginning of the US sanctions in response to the invasion of Ukraine. Most of the double-use goods were from China.

For example, on August 31, 2022, the Chinese defense state-owned company Poly Technologies sent navigation equipment for Mi-17 military transport helicopters to Rosoboronexport, which is under sanctions.

Earlier in the same month, Fujian Nanan Baofeng Electronic Co. sent Rosoboronexport a telescopic antenna for the RB-531BE electronic jamming system for radio communications.

On October 24, the Chinese state-owned AVIC International Holding Corp. sent $1.2 million worth of parts for Su-35 fighter jets to KRET (Radioelectronic Technologies Concern, part of Rostec, which is under sanctions).

On October 4, China Taly Aviation Technologies, the department's procurement arm for the Chinese Air Force, sent parts for a 96L6E radar to the sanctioned Almaz-Antey (air and missile defense). It works with the S-300 and S-400 missile systems that Russia uses in Ukraine.

One of the most active Chinese exporters of double-use goods is the privately owned Sinno Electronics, which the United States imposed sanctions on last year for purchasing banned products for the Russian military. From April to October, it organized more than 1,300 deliveries worth more than $2 million.

DJI drones are also being shipped to Russia, which military analysts say are used to track Ukrainian units and adjust artillery fire.

Trade data indicate that Chinese defense state-owned companies continue to send sanctioned Russian defense companies parts that can be used in weapons. There are reports that these parts are being used in Russia's war in Ukraine.

Turkey

In the case of Turkey, the WSJ found that equipment, electronics, spare parts, and other products needed by the Russian Armed Forces were supplied.

At least 13 Turkish companies exported a total of $18.5 million worth of plastic and rubber products (can be used in the production of tanks, ships, body armor, etc.)

As well as vehicles to at least 10 Russian companies that the US has sanctioned for their role in Russia's attack on Ukraine. At least three shipments included products manufactured in the United States.

In addition, $15 million worth of U.S. conveyors and elevators, power generators, circuit boards, and other items were exported from March to October in violation of U.S. sanctions.

Background. Bloomberg reported that Turkey has become almost the largest hub for Russia to avoid Western sanctions.