In a major escalation of tensions surrounding the Ukraine conflict, the US Treasury has imposed sanctions on two Chinese companies for their role in supplying Russia with drone engines and parts. The move targets Xiamen Limbach Aircraft Engine Company, a manufacturer of drone engines, and Redlepus Vector Industry, which has facilitated the shipment of these drones to Russia.
The US administration has accused these companies of directly contributing to Russia’s military capabilities in Ukraine. The sanctioned drones, known as the Garpiya series, are designed and produced in China in collaboration with Russian defense firms. These long-range attack drones have been instrumental in destroying critical infrastructure and causing significant casualties in Ukraine, according to State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
This latest round of sanctions represents a significant shift in the US’s approach to China’s involvement in the conflict. While previous sanctions targeted Chinese entities providing critical inputs to Russia’s military-industrial base, this is the first instance of sanctions being imposed on those directly developing and producing complete weapon systems.
The US has been increasingly concerned about China’s support for Russia’s war effort. Although Beijing has consistently maintained that it does not provide weapons to either side of the conflict, the US administration believes that China’s actions are undermining international efforts to end the war.
In addition to the two Chinese companies, the US has also imposed sanctions on Artem Mikhailovich Yamshchikov, a Russian national identified as the beneficial owner of TSK Vektor, a Russian entity already subject to sanctions, and TD Vector, a Russian entity involved in facilitating the drone shipments.
The US administration asserts that China was aware of the problematic nature of TSK Vektor and that the two sanctioned Chinese firms have been collaborating with the Russians on developing long-range attack drones since the beginning of the year.
This latest round of sanctions highlights the growing international pressure on China to cease its support for Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. The US administration has indicated that it will continue to take decisive action against any entities involved in assisting Russia’s war effort, regardless of their nationality. The situation remains volatile and further developments are expected in the coming weeks.
