Journalists obtained customs documents that show that in 2022, China continued to send parts for Russian helicopters, including military ones, to a company in the Russian Federation that is under US sanctions for its involvement in the war against Ukraine.Â
CNNÂ writes about this with reference to customs data obtained from two sources.
Beijing-based defense contractor Poly Technologies sent at least a dozen shipments, including parts for helicopters and air-to-ground radio equipment, to a Russian firm sanctioned by the U.S. over its involvement in the war against China over the past year, customs documents show. of Ukraine.
Poly Technology’s long-time trading partner – military helicopter supplier Ulan-Uden Aviation Plant – also continued to send parts and several helicopters to the Beijing-based company last year.
CNN reports that most of the helicopter parts supplied to the Russian Federation were marked for use in the Mi-171E multi-role transport, search and rescue helicopter. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China started importing this chopper model from Russia more than 10 years ago.
At the same time, three shipments from Poly Technologies were marked as products for the operation or maintenance of the Russian Mi-171Sh, a military transport helicopter that can be equipped with weapons and was used in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Customs records are obtained from two sources. The first data comes from trade data company Import Genius, whose information is compiled from secondary sources from official Russian customs and shipment records.
The Washington-based think tank C4ADS, which collects official customs records from many third-party vendors, provided a second set of data.
CNN has not independently verified this data.
