In 2024, the occupiers increased imports of Chinese machine tools for the defense industry due to tighter sanctions.
This was reported by the Main Intelligence Directorate.
Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine published data on 37 units of foreign equipment used by the enemy’s military-industrial complex, including the Almaz-Antey enterprise, which manufactures anti-aircraft weapons, and Russia's largest producer of tanks and armored vehicles, Uralvagonzavod.
"The published equipment includes Chinese machine tools purchased by 'Uralvagonzavod' in 2023-2024," the report states.
According to intelligence report, Russia's military industry remains dependent on foreign equipment, particularly CNC (computer numerical control) machines.
"In 2024, after sanctions were tightened, supplies of Western machine tools became more difficult, so the Russians are increasing imports of equipment from China," intelligence reports.
Payments are mainly processed through VTB Bank and its Shanghai branch, with transactions carried out in Chinese yuan.
Chinese machine tools are equipped with German and Japanese CNC systems—Siemens, Heidenhain, and Fanuc. The main reason is that Russians have experience working with Western systems, and most design programs for parts are created for them.
According to available data, Russia continues to train new specialists to work with Siemens, Heidenhain, and Fanuc systems, making a transition to alternatives unlikely for now.
Uralvagonzavod and Almaz-Antey also use equipment purchased before the full-scale invasion, including machines from Emco (Austria), Grindex (Serbia), Hermle (Germany), and Tos Celakovice (Czech Republic).
"Publishing such data is important for monitoring restrictions on the supply of spare parts, technical fluids, and other consumables, without which these machines cannot function," Main Intelligence Directorate stated.
