China Becomes Main Gateway for Russia’s Sanctioned Tech Imports

Russia’s reliance on China for sanctioned technology has deepened, despite EU sanction efforts to curb supplies critical to the Kremlin’s war effort. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied This handout picture posted on the Telegram account of the Russian Foreign Ministry on April 15, 2026 shows Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (L) shaking hands with China’s President Xi Jinping in Beijing. (Photo by Handout / RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Russia is now sourcing more than 90% of sanctioned technologies through China , underscoring Moscow’s growing dependence on Beijing as President Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine drags on. According to Bloomberg , the share of sanctioned goods entering Russia via China has risen from about 80% last year to more than 90%, though they did not provide a detailed breakdown of the specific technologies involved. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . The trend suggests Russia is relying increasingly on Chinese support to sustain and expand the production of weapons systems, including missiles and drones . The European Union has imposed wide‑ranging sanctions aimed at preventing Russia from acquiring key technologies needed to manufacture or operate weapons, such as semiconductors, integrated circuits, electronics, and specialized equipment. The bloc has also sanctioned companies in several countries - including China and Hong Kong - accused of helping Moscow circumvent those restrictions. Despite these measures, the sources said China has continued to provide support that enables Russia to maintain its military capabilities. Beijing has supplied Russia with geospatial intelligence data, satellite imagery of military targets, and drones, while at the same time reducing exports of drones to Ukraine and other countries, Bloomberg reported. The report said many EU member states remain reluctant to impose tougher sanctions on China, citing concerns over possible economic retaliation from Beijing. Other Topics of Interest Defense Scandal, Trump-Putin Call, and ‘Little Bit of a Ceasefire’ – Ukraine Latest, April 30 Interview with the director of the IMF’s European Department and the commander of the Latvian Armed Forces, plus a fact-check of Hegseth’s latest Ukraine claims – updates from Ukraine and beyond China has repeatedly said it does not recognize international sanctions and maintains that it conducts normal trade relations with Russia. Earlier this month, Beijing said it would take unspecified steps after the EU added several Chinese firms to its latest sanctions package. This analysis comes amid the European Commission welcoming the adoption of the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia , which for the first time includes a mechanism specifically designed to counter the circumvention of sanctions.