Approximately 60% of foreign components found in Russian weapons used on the battlefield in Ukraine are sourced from China, according to Ukraine's presidential adviser Vladyslav Vlasiuk. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Vlasiuk stated, "If you examine all the typical types of weapons and tally the foreign-made components, around 60% would be from China. We have engaged in extensive discussions with certain manufacturers regarding this issue." He further emphasized, "The PRC (China) is, I would say, the biggest problem."
Vlasiuk also highlighted that crucial parts for surveillance, drones, and missiles have been sourced from the United States, the Netherlands, Japan, Switzerland, and other Western countries. Despite robust trade relations between Russia and China, Beijing has consistently denied supplying any weapons to either side and maintains that it is not involved in the Ukraine crisis.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and despite facing extensive Western sanctions, Moscow has managed to replenish its military capabilities with Western microchips and semiconductors. Vlasiuk suggested that the European Union could take additional steps to halt the flow of Western products to Russia, including measures against Russia's nuclear firm, Rosatom. "Rosatom...we believe it (Russia) has been leveraging its networks to supply the Russian army," he noted. European capitals have been hesitant to take action due to Russia's significant role in nuclear plant supplies.
The EU could also target Russia's logistics, such as airports, seaports, and financial institutions that facilitate these sales, Vlasiuk added. He also pointed to a recent US package of sanctions on IT, which he believes has been highly effective since its implementation earlier this month.
