China has become a critical, and sometimes the only, supplier of crucial semimetals used in weapons production to the Russian Federation.

This was reported by Radio Liberty.

Journalists of the Schemes project found that after the imposition of Western sanctions, China had become the main and sometimes the only supplier of gallium, germanium, and stibium (antimony) to Russia.

About twenty Chinese companies, including state-owned ones, supply these sanctioned semimetals to Russia, where they are used by defense-related companies.

Gallium, germanium, and stibium are critical for most countries and are kept in state reserves to prevent shortages. They are used in microelectronics, laser systems, thermal imaging optics, special alloys, and as a component of nuclear weapons.

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in April 2022, sanctions were imposed restricting the export of these semi-metals to Russia. This led to a halt in exports from the EU and the US. According to Russian customs data obtained by journalists, in 2023, China became the sole supplier of gallium and germanium to Russia, and this status remains to this day.

According to experts interviewed by the journalists, even though the sanctions do not have a 100% effect, they still force Russia to pay more for these semi-metals and reduce the volume of supplies.

Of the two dozen Chinese firms that sell sanctioned gallium, germanium, and stibium to Russia, at least a third are companies that are at least partially owned by the Chinese state. None of these Chinese companies have been sanctioned so far.

As an example, journalists cite Yunnan Lincang Xinyuan Germanium Industry. The largest share in this company is held by a member of the Communist Party, Bao Wendong, who is also the director and chairman of the company’s board. Smaller stakes in this company belong to two state-owned firms.

“The Schemes found that most of the Russian companies importing these critical minerals from China to Russia are closely involved with the state military-industrial complex. Or they are directly owned by arms manufacturers, such as the Rostec Corporation. Its enterprises produce fighter jets, helicopters, tanks, artillery, electronic warfare equipment, ammunition for various vehicles and missiles.

None of these firms importing germanium and stibium from China, which are not directly owned by Russian military companies, have yet been subject to Western sanctions.

Gallium importers have been sanctioned, but they continue to import gallium to Russia despite this. Not only Russian companies are involved, but also subsidiaries of foreign corporations. For example, journalists have identified Ferrotec Nord and RMT, which are part of the Japanese holding Ferrotec Holdings Corporation, as gallium importers.

As a reminder, in December 2024, China completely banned exports to the United States of materials that could have military applications, including gallium, germanium, stibium, graphite, and superhard materials.