Ukraine has imposed fresh sanctions on three Chinese companies, accusing them of enabling Russia’s ongoing missile attacks by supplying components used in advanced weapons systems.
The announcement comes as missile and drone strikes have intensified across the country, with recent attacks reported in Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Sumy.
The new measures, signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, aim to disrupt the supply chains supporting Russia’s long-range strike capabilities.
The sanctioned companies are Beijing Aviation and Aerospace Xianghui Technology, Rui Jin Machinery, and Zhongfu Shenying Carbon Fiber Xining, which are registered in China and are accused of being directly or indirectly involved in the production of Iskander missile systems, a short-range ballistic platform widely deployed by Russia since the war began in February 2022.
Under the sanctions, the firms are barred from doing business in Ukraine, and any assets under Ukrainian jurisdiction are to be frozen.
President Zelenskyy made the announcement shortly after a missile strike on Kharkiv killed one person and injured more than 80 people.
“We finally have information that China is supplying weapons to the Russian Federation,” Zelenskyy said in Kyiv, specifically referencing “artillery,” though he did not clarify whether he was referring to shells, artillery systems, or both.
“We believe that Chinese representatives are engaged in the production of some weapons on the territory of Russia,” he added.
The allegations follow Ukraine’s recent summoning of a Chinese diplomat to explain the reported presence of Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian forces.
Ukrainian troops captured two such individuals, though later statements by Ukrainian and U.S. officials indicated the men had joined Russia’s military independently, allegedly in exchange for payment.
Beijing has rejected all accusations, maintaining that it remains neutral in the conflict and has not supplied weapons to any party.
In response to Zelenskyy’s remarks, China’s Foreign Ministry called the claims “baseless and irresponsible” and accused Ukraine of politicizing economic ties. Still, the rising tensions reflect Kyiv’s growing frustration over what it sees as indirect support from foreign entities helping Russia sustain its war effort.
Missile Attacks Escalate Across Eastern And Central Ukraine
As diplomatic friction grows, the past several weeks have seen a sharp rise in missile attacks across Ukrainian cities.
On April 18, a coordinated Russian missile and drone assault hit Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, damaging residential buildings, an educational institution, and a business.
Ukrainian officials confirmed that one of the missiles used carried a cluster warhead, dispersing submunitions over a wide area. Zelenskyy later added that advanced Iskander missiles had been used in the strike.
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A day earlier, on April 17, a Russian drone attack struck Dnipro, killing three people, including a child, and injuring at least 30 others. The strike caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, including housing, schools, and student dormitories.
In Sumy, during Palm Sunday celebrations, Russian missile strikes hit a crowded intersection, killing at least 35 civilians and injuring more than 100.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense has accused Russian forces of deliberately targeting civilian areas and essential infrastructure in what officials describe as “systematic terror tactics.” Emergency services in affected cities have been stretched thin, and the renewed bombardments have triggered fresh displacement as civilians flee the frontline and second-line cities.
Military analysts note a growing Russian reliance on ballistic missiles in recent months, as Moscow seeks to strain Ukraine’s limited air defense capacity.
Russia has deployed 48 Iskander missile launchers along the Ukrainian border, increasing the threat to cities well beyond the frontlines.
Iskander Missile System: Backbone Of Russia’s Long-Range Strike Capabilities
The 9K720 Iskander-M is a mobile short-range ballistic missile system developed by Russia. It has been central to Moscow’s precision strike capabilities since the start of the war.
With a range of up to 500 kilometers, the Iskander-M can carry various warheads, including high-explosive, thermobaric, and cluster munitions. It is also nuclear-capable. Each missile carries a warhead weighing approximately 700 kilograms.
Launched from mobile transporter-erector-launchers (TELs), the Iskander system can be rapidly deployed and fired. Its quasi-ballistic flight path, combined with mid-course maneuvering and decoys, makes it difficult to intercept using conventional air defense systems.
While Western systems like NASAMS and IRIS-T have improved Ukraine’s air defenses, coverage remains limited, and Soviet-era systems struggle to keep pace with newer threats.
One of the deadliest recent uses of the Iskander-M occurred on April 29, 2024, when a missile armed with a cluster warhead struck an educational facility in Odesa. The attack killed five people and injured at least 35. Human Rights Watch later included the strike in its annual review of controversial weapons used during armed conflicts.
Though the extent of Chinese involvement remains unverified, Ukraine’s decision to publicly name Chinese firms marks a shift in its diplomatic strategy. For a country heavily reliant on foreign military and financial assistance, Kyiv’s actions signal mounting frustration over the failure to fully sever Russia’s access to sensitive components.
Each strike brings not only casualties and destruction but also instills fear far from the frontlines. Air raid drills, curfews, and emergency alerts have become routine in cities such as Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Zaporizhzhia, where the next missile could fall without warning.
Meanwhile, ceasefire negotiations remain stalled. During recent high-level talks in Paris, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio threatened to walk away from the peace process if no tangible progress is made.
The talks, which include U.S., European, and Ukrainian representatives, have focused on proposals for a temporary freeze in fighting that could see Russia retain control over currently occupied territories.
Rubio’s remarks signal growing frustration within the U.S. administration and are seen as part of a broader strategy to pressure Moscow into agreeing to a 30-day ceasefire. Kyiv, however, remains wary of any deal that could legitimize territorial losses.
- Via: ET News Desk
- Mail us at: editor (at) eurasiantimes.com
