The United States has imposed sanctions on two Chinese companies for their involvement in Russia’s secret drone project. Xiamen Limbach Aircraft Engine Co. Ltd. and Redlepus Vector Industry Shenzhen Co. Ltd. were targeted for their role in developing and manufacturing Russia’s Garpiya series long-range attack unmanned aerial vehicle, according to the Department of the Treasury.
This marks the first time that Chinese entities responsible for the development and manufacture of full weapons systems in partnership with Russian firms have been sanctioned by the United States. The Treasury also sanctioned Russian national Artem Mikhailovich Yamshchikov and his company, Limited Liability Company Trading House Vector, for Yamshchikov’s involvement in the project.
According to the Treasury, any assets owned by these individuals or entities in the United States or controlled by U.S. persons will be frozen and reported to the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Additionally, U.S. persons are prohibited from providing or receiving funds, goods, or services to or from these sanctioned entities and individuals.
The Garpiya series drones have been deployed by Russia in Ukraine, causing significant damage to critical infrastructure and resulting in mass casualties.
Production of these drones took place in Chinese factories coordinated by Joint Stock Company Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant Kupol, a subsidiary of Russian state-owned weapons company JSC Aerospace Defense Concern Almaz-Antey.
In a September report by Reuters, it was revealed that Kupol had developed and tested a new model called Garpiya-3 with the assistance of local specialists in China.
Chinese manufacturers have long faced accusations of selling parts to Russia’s military, many of which are dual-use goods.
While China has denied supplying weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine and maintains its neutrality on this issue, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s adviser Vladyslav Vlasiuk stated last month that around 60 percent of foreign parts found in Russian weapons used against Ukraine were from China.
The U.S. Treasury spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that while Chinese entities had previously been sanctioned for providing critical inputs to Russia’s military-industrial base, this is the first time they have been sanctioned for directly developing complete weapons systems with Russian firms.
Acting Under Secretary Bradley T. Smith emphasized that disrupting networks involved in facilitating Russia’s acquisition and use of advanced weapons will remain a priority for the Treasury.