Chinese companies sell small arms, spare parts, navigation equipment, and protective gear to Russia.

The U.S. Department of Defense announced this in its report on China.

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

According to the U.S., this includes small arms, spare parts, navigation equipment, and protective gear.

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

It refers to small drones and dual-purpose UAVs used by the Russian military to wage war against Ukraine.

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

The invaders use them for surveillance and strikes.

In August 2023, China announced that it would introduce control over the drone market for the first time.

This was preceded by international pressure on the use of civilian drones in the war against Ukraine.

As previously reported, the U.S. Department of State is concerned that China continues to maintain relations with Russia and provide Vladimir Putin with a “platform to advance his aggressive war against Ukraine.”

In July, the People’s Republic of China imposed export controls on certain equipment used in drones.