Despite repeated statements from Chinese authorities that the country does not supply weapons to Russia, it exports dual-use products that can be used for weapon production.
The Chinese company Shenzhen Kiosk Electronic Co supplied Russia with 3.3 million motors, writes The Wall Street Journal, citing unpublished reports for the US State Department and EU governments. The end user was the company "Rustakt," a Moscow drone manufacturer sanctioned by the EU in December 2024.
From July 2023 to February 2025, the company imported Chinese goods worth nearly $294 million, including electric motors worth $83 million.
Trade continued even after EU sanctions were imposed. According to reports, "Rustakt" acts as both a drone manufacturer and a "logistics center" for other Russian manufacturers.
From June to August 2024, the Chinese company sent more than 685,500 motor parts to another drone manufacturer sanctioned by the US.
The Russian company "Morgan," not subject to US sanctions, has imported Chinese goods worth nearly $5 million since 2024 for a long-range unmanned aerial vehicle program in "Alabuga." The imports included 7,800 lithium-polymer batteries marked as intended for a "special military operation."