Ukraine has announced fresh sanctions on three companies based in China, accusing them of helping Russia produce powerful weapons used in the war. These companies are said to be involved in making the deadly Iskander missiles, which have caused serious damage and loss of life in Ukraine.
The Iskander missile is a short-range weapon that can carry powerful explosives and, in some cases, nuclear warheads. These missiles have been used many times by Russia since the beginning of its full-scale war on Ukraine.
Just one day before the sanctions were announced, Ukraine’s top leaders claimed that China had been sending weapons to Russia. In response, China strongly denied the claims, calling them false and saying it does not take sides in the conflict.
Even though China continues to trade goods with Russia, it says it has not taken part in the fighting or helped either side in making weapons. Still, Ukraine says it has information showing the three Chinese companies helped build or supply parts for the Iskander missile system.
The Names Behind the Sanctions
The three companies that Ukraine named are: Beijing Aviation And Aerospace Xianghui Technology, Rui Jin Machinery, and Zhongfu Shenying Carbon Fiber Xining. All of these businesses are registered in China. According to Ukrainian authorities, these companies are connected to the development or production of parts for the Russian missile systems.
Ukraine added them to a growing list of over 100 companies and individuals who are now banned from doing any business in the country. The sanctions mean that these companies cannot work with Ukrainian firms, and any money or property they have in Ukraine will be frozen.
While most of the companies targeted are Russian, Ukraine said that it was especially troubling to see foreign businesses helping in the production of weapons that are then used to attack Ukrainian cities. The president of Ukraine mentioned that Iskander missiles were recently fired at the city of Kharkiv. That attack killed one person and injured more than 100 others.
Ukraine has already been dealing with missile strikes for over three years. These new sanctions are part of the country’s larger effort to punish not only those launching the attacks but also those making the weapons behind the scenes.
Rising Tensions with China
The relationship between Ukraine and China has become more tense in recent weeks. Not long before the latest sanctions were announced, Ukrainian officials said they had captured two Chinese nationals who were fighting alongside Russian forces.
Aurora Rising: Canada’s Secret Weapon Scans for Sanctions-Busting Ships Near North Korea
Ukrainian and U.S. officials later explained that these individuals may have joined the war for money and were not sent by the Chinese government. Still, the news added to growing concerns in Kyiv about China’s possible role in the conflict.
Ukraine’s leaders say they have more evidence that some Chinese companies are not just sending materials like gunpowder and metal parts to Russia, but are actually helping to build weapons inside Russia itself. However, no hard proof has been shared publicly yet.
China’s government continues to say that it has done nothing wrong. It insists that it wants peace and that it is not supporting the war in any way. But Ukraine has made it clear: if any company, even from another country, helps build the weapons used to attack Ukrainians, they will face punishment.
In 2021, Ukraine sold $8 billion worth of goods to China, mostly raw materials and food. In return, it bought nearly $11 billion of Chinese-made products, including electronics and machinery. But now, as the war continues, that trading relationship is being tested.
The latest move by Ukraine shows it is willing to go after anyone it believes is helping to fuel the war—no matter where they are based.
