(ANSA) — ROME, MARCH 16 — “Chinese companies, including one linked to the government in Beijing, have sent Russian authorities 1,000 assault rifles and other equipment that could be used for military purposes, including drone parts and bulletproof vests. Politico writes it, citing trade and customs data. The shipments took place between June and December 2022, according to ImportGenius, a customs data aggregator.
Politico writes that China North Industries Group Corporation Limited, one of the country’s largest state-owned defense contractors, “shipped the rifles in June 2022 to a Russian company called Tekhkrim, which also does business with the Russian state and military.” I CQ-A rifles, modeled after the M16 but labeled “civilian hunting rifles” in the data, have been reported in service by paramilitary police in China and militaries from the Philippines to South Sudan and Paraguay.”
“While the customs data does not show Beijing selling large quantities of arms to Moscow specifically in support of its war effort in Ukraine, they reveal that China is supplying Russian companies with previously undeclared ‘dual-use’ equipment, items that could also be used on the battlefield in Ukraine,” writes Politico. And it’s the “first confirmation that China is sending guns and bulletproof vests to Russian companies, showing that drones and drone parts are still being shipped despite promises by at least one company to stop operations in Russia and Ukraine.” “It is currently unclear whether Russia is using any of the rifles included in the battlefield shipping dates: the Russian company Tekhkrim has not responded to an emailed request for comment. But the Dji drones have been on the battlefield for months Battlefield sighted. Dji did not immediately respond to a request for comment,” writes Politico. (HAND).
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