IS RUSSIA/CHINA'S ILLICIT WEAPONS AND TECH TRADE REACHING A TIPPING POINT?

The article details the trade restrictions imposed by the BIS CHLP on Russia, targeting critical Western electronics essential for its military operations. It categorizes these restrictions into Tier One, which includes four HS Code chapters consisting of key electronic components that Russia cannot produce domestically. To sustain its war effort in Ukraine, particularly in the production of drones and missiles, Russia relies on illicit imports mainly facilitated through China.
During the reviewed period, over $1.5 billion worth of these restricted items were exported from China to Russia, often involving electronics from Western companies like Texas Instruments, NVIDIA, and Intel, repackaged by lesser-known Chinese firms. These components are integral to various Russian weapon systems, including the Shahed 136 drones and Lancet kamikaze drones. Key products like XILINX's FPGAs and NVIDIA's AI modules are critical for operating these systems, highlighting the importance of Western technology in supporting Russia's military capabilities against Ukraine.
https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/detail/chinese-export-of-restricted-high-priority-battlefield-items-to-russia/