The United States has accused China of providing Russia with cruise missile intelligence as Vladimir Putin continues to intensify drone and missile strikes against Ukrainian cities.
Since the turn of the year, Russian air strikes on Ukraine have increased by more than 605%, with China potentially aiding Putin’s continued campaign, according to a US diplomat.
Speaking to the UN Security Council, high-ranking diplomat John Kelly highlighted the support Russia has received from both China and North Korea since invading Ukraine in February 2022.
Kelly said: “China, as its representatives have noted, does not supply weapons to Russia directly. However, China has become a decisive factor contributing to Russia’s military efforts, being the most important supplier to Russia’s military industry.”
China has always claimed to be neutral in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but has spoken against the sanctions placed on the former nation since the war.
It has also deepened economic and political ties with the nation with which it shares a 4,209km border, supplying Russia with a significant amount of machine tools, microelectronics, optics, drones and cruise missile technology, according to the U.S. diplomat.
Significant amounts of nitrocellulose, used to manufacture gunpowder for weapons, have exchanged hands between the two superpowers.
Kelly did not specify which cruise missile technology he was referring to when accusing China of delivering the information to Putin’s military, but recent reports allege Ukrainian forces discovered foreign components in Russia’s new “Banderol” cruise missile, including microchips from China.
During July, Russia launched 6,443 drones and missiles into Ukraine, according to Ukrainian intelligence, the highest level of bombardment since the war began, 13% more than recorded in June.
At least 28 people were reported dead after Russia’s latest barrage on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on Thursday morning (July 31), including three children.
The uptick in strikes coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump’s ultimatum to his Russian counterpart to end the war by August 8, or face severe sanctions, which could also impact nations that trade with them, such as China.
Diplomat Kerry stressed to the UN that, if China wanted to see an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, it would cease trading military-grade goods with Russia.
Elsewhere, Putin has strengthened ties with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, who has contributed tens of thousands of troops to Russia’s frontline, with 30,000 more set to depart the isolated nation for war soon.
Kerry continued: “North Korea has sent ammunition, missiles, military equipment and approximately 12,000 soldiers to Russia.
“Iran has provided ballistics, drones and other technologies.”