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Russian media criticizes China's drone part sales to Ukraine as pragmatism
Russian press reports that Chinese companies sold drone components to Ukraine, and these parts were used in attacks on Russian oil refineries. Russian experts describe Beijing's approach as 'rigid pragmatism'.
Unexpected criticism is rising in Russian media against China, seen as Moscow's strategic partner. Newspapers claim that Chinese companies sold unmanned aerial vehicle parts to Ukraine and helped Kyiv with drone assembly and modernization.
The fact that Ukrainian drones struck Russian oil refineries and caused a serious fuel crisis in the country has intensified these criticisms against Beijing. Numerous articles in Russian newspapers stressed that these attacks were 'damaging' blows to Russia.
Is China both seller and savior?
In a report published on the Tsargrad website, China studies expert Nikolay Vavilov said that the deepening fuel crisis in the country shows that 'our partner' continues active cooperation with Kyiv. Vavilov noted that China lifted restrictions on oil product exports for the remainder of July and allowed a private petrochemical refinery to continue supplies. Some of this fuel could be sent to Russia, particularly to Siberia and the Far East.
The expert stated that the Ukrainian army caused serious damage to Russia's fuel system with drones containing Chinese components, and now Beijing is selling fuel to Russians. According to Vavilov, the 'friend' benefits from both sides of the conflict, and this cannot be described as 'friendship'.
Goal is profit maximization
The Khibiny website wrote that Chinese drone and component manufacturers have developed a complex logistics system to profit from both Russian and Ukrainian customers. According to the site, the companies do not take sides in any conflict and focus solely on maximizing profit.
Noting that the behavior of Chinese sales representatives sometimes appears ironic, the site recorded that they have skillfully 'traded' with Ukrainian and Russian customers for years, often selling the same product. It was stated that Chinese business is completely detached from politics, entrepreneurs maintain neutrality, and despite the top leadership officially declaring support for Russia, companies are allowed to operate in this way.
Supply to NATO as well
Russian military expert Dmitri Konanyhin, in an assessment for the SM News website, said that China supplies drones not only to Ukrainian forces but also to NATO countries. He argued that these supplies strengthen Ukraine's military capabilities as well as increase the defense capacity of NATO countries and escalate tensions in the European region.
Konanyhin claimed that Ukrainian forces receive an almost unlimited supply of kamikaze drones from the West, and the West purchases the components for these drones from China. According to the expert, China's tactic is to profit from the sale of high-demand components while maintaining Russia's dominance in this field.
Purchases from the same factories
The Gazeta newspaper, basing its report on statements by Ukrainian officials, wrote that Ukrainian and Russian companies often purchase drone components from the same factories in China. According to an article by author Anton Degtyaryov, Chinese officials strictly adhere to production schedules to ensure that the purchase times of Ukrainian and Russian buyers do not overlap.
Degtyaryov noted that Ukraine could produce drones without using imported components from China, but because Chinese components are still much cheaper, it is 'unlikely' that Kyiv will do so in the near future. Ukrainian officials, however, believe that due to China's 'unfriendly' policy towards Kyiv, it is important to produce drones with as few Chinese components as possible to guard against supply disruptions.
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