On Thursday, October 17, the United States announced sanctions against two Chinese manufacturers of drone engines and components, alleging that these companies directly assisted Russia in producing long-range attack drones used in the conflict in Ukraine.
According to the U.S. Treasury Department, this is the first time that the United States has imposed sanctions on Chinese entities that have collaborated with Russian companies in the direct development and production of complete weapon systems. Previously, the U.S. had imposed sanctions on Chinese entities providing key components for the Russian military industry.
The U.S. sanctions target Xiamen Limbach Aircraft Engine Company (Xiamen Limbach Aircraft Engine Company) and Redlepus Vector Industry Shenzhen Co Ltd, both involved in the production of drone engines.
The Treasury Department’s announcement stated that the Russian state-owned weapons company Almaz-Antey’s subsidiary, IEMZ Kupol, is responsible for coordinating the production of the Garpiya series drones in Chinese factories, which are then shipped to Russia.
Xiamen Limbach Aircraft Engine Company, based in China, produces the L550E engine used in the Garpiya drones.
Similarly, Redlepus Vector Industry (Shenzhen) Co Ltd operates in China and collaborates with the Russian defense company TSK Vektor OOO as an intermediary between Kupol and Chinese suppliers for the Garpiya project.
Since the beginning of 2024, TSK Vektor has imported a large number of goods from Redlepus Vector to Russia, including electronic and mechanical components for drones, such as aircraft engines, parts for automatic data processing machines, and electrical components. Redlepus Vector had previously collaborated with Kupol and TSK Vektor to establish a joint drone research and production center.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated in a release that the Russian Garpiya series long-range attack drones, “designed and produced through collaboration between the People’s Republic of China (Communist China) and the Russian defense company, were used during the conflict in Ukraine to destroy critical infrastructure and resulted in significant casualties.”
Beijing denies providing weapons to either Ukraine or Russia and defends its trade relations with Russia.
According to the Associated Press, senior officials in the Biden administration have accused Beijing of providing material support to Russian military bases to sustain Russia’s war in Ukraine. The latest round of U.S. sanctions is aimed at addressing “direct activities” between China and Russia.
Government officials have pointed out that Beijing should be aware that TSK Vektor, a Russian entity, is a “problematic actor.”
These two Chinese companies have been collaborating with Russians on the development of long-range attack drones since the beginning of this year.
The U.S. government has also announced sanctions against Artem Mikhailovich Yamshchikov, the actual owner of TSK Vektor, and against the Russian entity TD Vector involved in assisting with the transportation of drones.
In September, Reuters quoted anonymous European intelligence sources revealing the cooperation between China and Russia in military drones.