Key developments on Sept. 25: * Russia preparing to attack 3 nuclear plants in Ukraine, Zelensky tells UN * No Russian troops on Vuhledar outskirts, governor claims * Around 20 Russian soldiers captured during operation to recapture Vovchansk aggregate plant, military intelligence claims * Ukraine has 'extensive' 3-year plan for drone, ground robotics production,
Russia has secretly established a development and production program in China for attack drones to be used in the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported on Sept. 25 citing European intelligence sources and documents reviewed by the outlet. According to the report, Russia has flight-tested a new drone called the Garpiya-3
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva touted his peace plan jointly developed with China at the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 24, despite the proposal already being dismissed as "destructive" by Ukraine. Condemning the "invasion of Ukrainian territory," Lula said it was now "crucial" to create the conditions
Key developments on Sept. 24: * Ukraine regains control of Vovchansk aggregate plant, military intelligence says * Russia attacks Kharkiv's densely populated districts, killing 3, injuring 34 * Russia to maintain record high defense spending in 2025, Bloomberg reports * Around 60% of foreign parts in Russian weapons come via China, Ukraine says * 'Temporary'
"In our experience, if Russia takes photos of certain objects, then there is a threat of strikes against the nuclear objects," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
"If you take all the usual types of weapons and count the foreign made components – about 60% would be coming from China," Vladyslav Vlasiuk, an adviser to Ukraine's Presidential Office, said on Sept. 24.
As the full-scale invasion continues, Western countries are imposing increasingly severe sanctions on Russia, forcing it to seek new partnerships with Asian powerhouses China and India.
Ukraine has imposed sanctions against six individuals and over 40 entities from Iran, China, and Russia.
Russia began producing a new long-range attack drone, the Garpiya-A1, using a Chinese engine and other parts in 2023, Reuters reported on Sept. 13, citing two undisclosed sources in European intelligence and obtained documents.
A six-point peace plan jointly proposed by China and Brazil sparked a furious outburst from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this week, who described it as "destructive." China and Brazil first put forward the plan in May, setting it up as an alternative to Ukraine's own efforts of initiating peace negotiations
Beijing has positioned itself as neutral in the Russia-Ukraine war but has simultaneously deepened economic ties with Moscow and backed the country against Western sanctions. China is pushing its peace plan, which doesn't envisage the expulsion of all Russian forces from Ukrainian territory and was dismissed by the West.
President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized a peace initiative put forward by Brazil and China as "destructive" in an interview with Brazilian outlet Metropoles published on Sept. 12.
Key developments on Sept. 10: * Russia claims capture of Donetsk Oblast village near Vuhledar, Kyiv doesn't confirm * Moscow claims Ukraine launched 'massive' 144-drone attack on Russia, casualties reported * Blinken, Lammy to visit Ukraine as US confirms Iranian missile shipments to Russia * Ukraine identifies Russian general suspected of ordering strike on
China is supplying Russia with materials that directly boost Russia's war machine, and in return is receiving military technology support from Russia, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell told journalists on Sept. 10.
The Russian Navy has started the naval exercise Ocean-2024, which will take place on five seas and test operational readiness and the use of high-precision weapons, among other objectives, the Russian Defense Ministry announced on Sept. 10.
The North-Joint 2024 will take place in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk, with the aim of "enhancing strategic cooperation between the Chinese and Russian militaries and their ability to jointly respond to security threats," the Chinese Defense Ministry said.
Mongolia laid out the red carpet — literally — for Russian President Vladimir Putin when he arrived in the country on Sept. 2. But as the country is a signatory to the International Criminal Court (ICC)’s Rome Statute, the visit should have meant Putin’s arrest. Putin was issued an arrest
Chinese banks are shutting down transactions with Russia over worries about losing access to the U.S. dollar and being cut off from the international financial markets, experts told the Kyiv Independent. The U.S. issued an executive order in December 2023 warning that it would sanction any foreign financial
Transactions worth tens of billions of yuan are currently stuck in limbo, a source told Reuters.
Banks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been rejecting transactions from Russian companies for electronic components and consumer electronics from China since early August, the pro-Kremlin outlet Kommersant reported on Aug. 28.
Just as the West has been forced into confrontation with Russia and China, military conflicts have revealed major systemic weaknesses in the U.S. and European militaries and their defense-industrial bases. These problems stem from fundamental technology trends. In Ukraine, expensive manned systems such as tanks, combat aircraft, and warships
According to a joint statement, Beijing and Minsk pledged not only to strengthen security ties but also to improve cooperation in the finance and energy sectors.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Ukraine on Aug. 23 for a historic visit, the first time an Indian prime minister set foot in Ukraine since diplomatic relations were established over 30 years ago. India, the world's largest country by population and an increasingly powerful player on the
India overtook China as the world’s largest importer of Russian oil in July as Chinese refiners bought less due to lower profit margins from fuel production, Reuters reported on Aug. 22, citing a comparison of import data.
Russia and China are discussing the possibility of a barter trade, with the first deal involving agriculture expected as early as this autumn, Reuters reported on Aug. 8, citing three undisclosed trade and payment sources.
Russia’s arms industry and its export capabilities have long been, as Russian President Vladimir Putin put it, a point of national pride. Even after launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia claims to be able to meet growing domestic demand and continue arms exports. State-sponsored propaganda
Key developments on Aug. 2: * Ukraine's second Ada-class corvette launched in Turkey * Occupied Crimea hit by Ukrainian missile attack, Russia claims * China claims its Ukraine peace plan has support of more than 110 countries * 'Signs of escalation' on battlefield in Kharkiv sector, Ukraine's military says * Russia exaggerating numbers of contract
China officially declares itself a neutral party to Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine and has denied providing lethal aid to both sides, but Beijing and Moscow continue to develop closer ties, most recently with Russian President Vladimir Putin visiting his counterpart Xi Jinping in May.
China adjusted its export controls on military drones amid growing criticism from the U.S. and its allies over support for Russia's war efforts in Ukraine.
Authorities say that Russia remains the most significant threat in terms of election disinformation, while there are signs that Iran is increasing its activities and China is taking a cautious approach regarding the 2024 U.S. presidential race.
According to sources cited by Kommersant, Chinese banks routinely let Russian yuan payments delay for several weeks before ultimately rejecting them, often without providing a reason.
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi told U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on July 27 that Beijing denies allegations of helping Russia's war effort in Ukraine. "China’s position on the Ukrainian issue is candid, and we will continue to promote peace talks between Russia and Ukraine," said Wang.
(Updated: )
