Despite Russia's rhetoric of strategic rapprochement with China, the Russian media harshly criticize Beijing's trade relations with Ukraine. Newspapers and expert commentaries write that Chinese firms sell drone parts to Kyiv and that these components are used in attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure.
The Ukrainian military's use of drones equipped with Chinese-origin components to strike Russian oil refineries and cause a fuel crisis in the country has increased public outrage in Russia. Many analyses in Russian media emphasize that these attacks have dealt 'damaging' blows to the Russian economy.
China plays both seller and rescuer
Speaking to the Tsargrad website, China studies expert Nikolay Vavilov said that the deepening fuel shortage in Russia shows that 'our strategic partner' China continues active commercial cooperation with Kyiv. Vavilov stated that China lifted restrictions on petroleum product exports for July and allowed a special petrochemical plant to continue supply. Some of this fuel could potentially be sent to Russia, particularly to Siberia and the Far East regions.
The expert said that Ukrainian forces seriously damaged Russia's fuel system with drones containing Chinese components, and now the Beijing administration is simultaneously selling fuel to the Russians. According to Vavilov, China benefits from both sides of the conflict, and this cannot be described as 'friendship'.
Profit maximization takes priority
The Khibiny website wrote that Chinese drone and component manufacturers have established a complex logistics network to profit from both Russian and Ukrainian customers. According to the site, these companies do not take sides in any conflict, focusing solely on maximizing profit.
The publication noted that the behavior of Chinese sales representatives sometimes seems ironic, as they have skillfully 'traded' with Ukrainian and Russian customers for years, often selling the same product. It stated that Chinese business is completely detached from politics, entrepreneurs maintain neutrality, and the top leadership allows companies to operate in this way despite official statements of support for Russia.
Also claims of supply to NATO countries
Russian military expert Dmitry Konanykhin, in an assessment for the SM News website, suggested that China supplies drones not only to Ukraine but also to NATO countries. Konanykhin claimed that these supplies not only strengthen Ukraine's military capabilities but also increase the defense capacity of NATO countries and escalate tensions in the European region.
According to the expert, while Ukrainian forces receive almost unlimited supplies of kamikaze drones from the West, Western countries purchase the components for these drones from China. Konanykhin argued that China's tactic is to profit from selling high-demand components while at the same time maintaining Russia's dominance in this field.
Purchases made from the same factories
The Gazeta newspaper, citing 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 stated 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, however, 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.
