The US is warning allies that China has stepped up its support for Russia, including by providing satellite imagery.

Bloomberg reported on this with reference to its own sources.

Amid signs of increased military cooperation between the two countries, China has provided Russia with satellite images of military facilities, as well as microelectronics and machinery tools.

According to one of the publication’s sources, Chinese support also includes optics, rocket fuel, and increased space cooperation.

According to White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson, US President Joe Biden expressed concern to Xi Jinping about his support for the Russian military industry during their phone call.

Chinese weapons and machinery

On March 3, Militarnyi reported that Russia started using 122mm artillery shells, which externally resemble Chinese-made shells.

The OF-56IM-1m 122mm artillery high-explosive extended-range shells, which the Russian army started to receive for D-30 122mm howitzers, somewhat resemble the Chinese 122mm projectile.

It is currently unknown whether these shells are produced on the territory of Russia, or whether China transfers them directly as part of assistance.

Earlier, on January 4, it was reported that the supply of high-tech machinery from China to the Russian Federation increased tenfold after the start of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Russian customs reports show that Chinese manufacturers shipped $68 million worth of equipment in July, up from just $6.5 million in February 2022, when the Russian Federation launched a full-scale invasion.

On November 10, Militarnyi reported that the Chinese company AODES would supply the Russian army with more than 2 thousand Desertcross vehicles in various variations. Their use and destruction have been repeatedly reported.

At the end of October, information was released that Chinese companies were selling small arms, spare parts, navigation equipment, and protective equipment to Russia.

The Pentagon analyzed Russian customs data, which showed that both public and private companies sell civil goods, dual-use goods, and some minor military goods to Russia.

The Pentagon paid special attention to drones since the large and unregulated drone market in China allowed the Russians to purchase copters.

Between March 2022 and 2023, Chinese firms sold drones and components to Russia worth $12 million.