Western Components Fuel Russian Military Despite Sanctions

Despite extensive Western sanctions, roughly 60% of the foreign components in Russian weaponry on the Ukrainian battlefield are sourced via China. Ukrainian presidential adviser Vladyslav Vlasiuk revealed this, noting that Russia has also procured drones from Iran. Vlasiuk advocates for stricter measures, including targeting Russia’s logistical and financial networks.

Despite extensive Western sanctions, roughly 60% of the foreign components in Russian weaponry on the Ukrainian battlefield are sourced via China, according to Ukrainian presidential adviser Vladyslav Vlasiuk. Addressing reporters on Tuesday, Vlasiuk said that Russia began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and has been able to circumvent sanctions to replenish its military supplies with Western microchips and semiconductors. He emphasized that Moscow receives parts from and via China, and has also acquired thousands of drones from Iran.

Vlasiuk was in Brussels to discuss sanctions against Russia with European Union and G7 members. He highlighted that China is not only supplying its own parts but also acting as a transit route for Western products. Important components used in surveillance, drones, and missiles have originated from the United States, Netherlands, Japan, Ireland, and Switzerland. Beijing has denied any involvement in the Ukraine crisis and the supply of weaponry or parts to either party.

The adviser displayed documents listing advanced chips from U.S. companies, including Analog Devices, Texas Instruments, AMD-owned Xilinx, Cypress Semiconductor owned by Germany's Infineon, and Altera, a subsidiary of Intel. Vlasiuk urged the EU to take more action to stop the flow of Western products to Russia and suggested targeting Russia's logistics and financial networks, such as airports, seaports, and banks. He also highlighted a recent U.S. sanction package on IT that has shown effectiveness.

(With inputs from agencies.)