Category
Latest news

Russia Turns to Chinese Companies for Infrastructure Projects in Temporarily Occupied Crimea

2 min read
Authors
Russia Turns to Chinese Companies for Infrastructure Projects in Temporarily Occupied Crimea
Russian leader Vladimir Putin meets Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Kremlin during Xi’s visit to Moscow for Victory Day celebrations, May 8, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)

Russia is reportedly planning to expand transport infrastructure in occupied Crimea with the involvement of Chinese companies, according to the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.

The initiative was discussed during a recent meeting chaired by Sergey Aksyonov, the head of the Russian-installed administration in Crimea.

Ukrainian intelligence reports that Aksyonov announced preliminary agreements with Chinese partners to develop two strategic sites on the peninsula:

  • The Kerch seaport, which Russia is actively using for unofficial export activities;

  • The area surrounding Lake Donuzlav, home to a Russian naval base.

According to the report, the Crimean administration intends to invite representatives of major Chinese construction firms to the peninsula, including the China State Construction Engineering Corporation. This company is one of the world’s largest in the field of railway and transport infrastructure construction.

The total value of the planned investment is estimated at $10 billion.

Ukrainian intelligence highlights that the project would deepen cooperation between Russia and Chinese businesses within occupied Ukrainian territory, potentially reinforcing Russia’s military and economic presence in the region.

Earlier, an investigation revealed that Russia has nearly tripled production of its Iskander ballistic and cruise missiles over the past year by importing advanced manufacturing equipment from China, Taiwan, and Belarus.

Despite Western sanctions, the Votkinsk Plant—the main missile production facility—acquired over 7,000 new machines, including Chinese-made CNC systems, enabling it to manufacture more than 700 missiles since 2024.

Customs records confirmed that much of the equipment reached Russia through intermediaries, with eight out of ten known contracts traced back to China.

In addition to machinery, China has also supplied critical raw materials such as titanium for missile components. Ukraine’s military intelligence estimates Russia now holds a stockpile of about 900 Iskander missiles, enough for at least two more years of strikes.

See all