As the strategic rapprochement between Russia and China continues, criticism of Beijing is rising in the Russian media. Newspapers claim that Chinese companies are selling drone parts to Ukraine and helping Kyiv with drone assembly and modernization.
The fact that Ukrainian drones have struck Russian oil refineries and caused a serious fuel crisis in the country has intensified criticism of Beijing. Numerous articles in Russian newspapers emphasized that these attacks were 'damaging' blows to Russia.
Is China both a seller and a savior?
In a report published on the Tsargrad website, China expert Nikolay Vavilov said that the deepening fuel crisis in the country shows that 'our partner' continues active cooperation with Kyiv. Vavilov noted that China lifted restrictions on oil product exports for the remainder of July and allowed a private petrochemical refinery to continue supplies. Some of this fuel may be sent to Russia, particularly to Siberia and the Far East.
Vavilov stated that the Ukrainian army has caused serious damage to Russia's fuel system with drones containing Chinese components, and now Beijing is selling fuel to the Russians. According to the expert, the 'friend' benefits from both sides of the conflict, and this cannot be described as 'friendship'.
Goal: profit maximization
The Khibiny website wrote that Chinese drone and component manufacturers have developed a complex logistics system to profit from both Russian and Ukrainian customers. According to the site, the companies do not take sides in any conflict and focus solely on maximizing profits.
The site noted that the behavior of Chinese sales representatives sometimes appears ironic, as they have skillfully 'traded' with Ukrainian and Russian customers for years, often selling the same product. It was noted that Chinese business is completely detached from politics, entrepreneurs maintain their neutrality, and despite the top leadership's official declarations of support for Russia, companies are allowed to operate in this way.
Also supplying NATO
Russian military expert Dmitri Konanyhin, in an assessment for the SM News website, said that China supplies drones not only to Ukrainian forces but also to NATO countries. He argued that these supplies strengthen Ukraine's military capabilities as well as increase the defense capacity of NATO countries and escalate tensions in the European region.
Konanyhin claimed that Ukrainian forces receive an almost unlimited supply of kamikaze drones from the West, and the West purchases the components for these drones from China. According to the expert, China's tactic is to profit from the sale of high-demand components while maintaining Russia's dominance in this field.
Purchases from the same factories
The Gazeta newspaper, in a report based on statements by Ukrainian officials, wrote that Ukrainian and Russian companies often purchase drone components from the same factories in China. According to an article by author Anton Degtyaryov, Chinese officials strictly adhere to production schedules to ensure that the purchase times of Ukrainian and Russian buyers do not overlap.
Degtyaryov noted that Ukraine could produce drones without using imported components from China, but because Chinese components are still much cheaper, it is 'unlikely' that Kyiv will do so in the near future. Ukrainian officials, on the other hand, believe that due to China's 'unfriendly' policy towards Kyiv, it is important to produce drones with as few Chinese components as possible to guard against supply disruptions.
