US sanctions Chinese firms over drone production for Russia’s war in Ukraine

The United States unveiled sanctions Thursday targeting China-based companies linked to the production of drones that Russia has deployed in its war against Ukraine.

These mark the first US sanctions on Chinese entities “directly developing and producing complete weapons systems in partnership with Russian firms,” the US Treasury Department said.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller added: “This was the first time we actually saw a Chinese company manufacturing a weapon itself that then was used on the battlefield by Russia.”

“That is why we continue to work with our allies and partners around the world to make clear to China that this practice is unacceptable and they need to take steps to counter it,” he added.

The Treasury Department’s latest action took aim at three companies — two in China and one in Russia — alongside a Russian national over their involvement in developing and making Russia’s Garpiya series long-range attack drone.

The department said the drone is “designed and developed by” China-based experts, and produced at Chinese factories in collaboration with Russian defense firms.

They are then transferred to Russia for use against Ukraine.

“Russia increasingly relies on the expertise of foreign professionals and the import of sophisticated technologies to sustain its weapons program and advance its military campaign against Ukraine,” said Treasury Acting Under Secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence Bradley Smith.

The two China-based companies are Xiamen Limbach Aircraft Engine Co and Redlepus Vector Industry Shenzhen Co.

Also targeted were Russia-based Limited Liability Company Trading House Vector and Artem Mikhailovich Yamshchikov.

Previous US sanctions have hit Chinese entities providing components to Russian firms — with these parts subsequently going into weapons.