Mon May 26 13:27:06 UTC 2025: **NEWS ARTICLE:**
**Ukraine Intelligence Chief Claims China Directly Aiding Russian Arms Industry with Critical Supplies**
Kyiv, Ukraine – Ukraine’s intelligence chief has made a stark claim, alleging that China is directly supplying Russia’s arms industry with vital materials, despite Beijing’s repeated denials of involvement in the conflict.
Oleh Ivashchenko, head of Ukraine’s foreign intelligence service, stated in an interview that Kyiv has concrete data confirming China’s provision of key materials and equipment to at least 20 Russian military factories. These supplies include tooling machines, specialized chemical products, gunpowder, and essential components for defense manufacturing.
“There is information that China supplies tooling machines, special chemical products, gunpowder, and components specifically to defense manufacturing industries,” Ivashchenko said. “We have confirmed data on 20 Russian factories.”
This accusation follows previous claims from Ukraine, including a recent public statement by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accusing China of supplying gunpowder and materials to Russian arms manufacturers and Chinese citizens assisting in drone production. China dismissed Zelenskyy’s claims as “groundless,” but Ukraine has since imposed sanctions on three Chinese entities.
According to Ivashchenko, Ukrainian intelligence has uncovered at least five instances of Russian-Chinese cooperation in the aviation sector slated for 2024 and 2025, involving transfers of equipment, spare parts, and technical documentation. He also pointed to six cases of “large shipments” of specialty chemicals, though further details were not provided.
“As of early 2025, 80 percent of critical electronic components found in Russian drones originated in China,” Ivashchenko added. “At the same time, there are facts of product substitutions, deceptive product names; there are shell companies through which everything necessary for the production of microelectronics is supplied.”
Ivashchenko added that this alleged support occurs despite China’s public stance of neutrality in the war, though the nation has significantly increased its trade and economic cooperation with Russia since the invasion began in February 2022.
These accusations coincide with a record-breaking drone attack on Ukraine. Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched 298 drones and 69 missiles overnight, but said it was able to down 266 drones and 45 missiles.
**SUMMARY:**
Ukraine’s intelligence chief, Oleh Ivashchenko, claims to have evidence that China is directly aiding Russia’s arms industry by supplying critical materials and equipment, despite China’s denials. This includes tooling machines, chemicals, gunpowder, and components for military factories. Ukraine has previously accused China of providing military assistance, leading to sanctions on Chinese entities. Ivashchenko highlights examples of Russian-Chinese cooperation in the aviation sector and shipments of specialty chemicals, stating that a significant percentage of components in Russian drones originate in China. The accusations come amid a record drone attack on Ukraine.
First Piper 