US Congress Issued a Letter to Biden Administration to Block China’s Military Tech Supply to Russia

On October 16, 2024, Representatives Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Joe Wilson (SC-02), along with 21 other members of Congress, sent a bipartisan letter urging the Biden-Harris Administration to intensify efforts to prevent Russia’s circumvention of sanctions as part of the US's commitment to support Ukraine and counter China’s influence.

In a letter obtained by UNITED24 Media, Rep. Schneider highlighted that China is helping Russia access technology critical for military equipment, while Rep. Wilson emphasized China’s role in enabling Russia’s war by supplying Western-origin technology to Russia.

The letter, addressed to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and sent to key US officials, called attention to China's role in providing Russia with computer numerical control (CNC) essential for weapons production.

According to the Economic Security Council of Ukraine (ESCU), China has become Russia’s primary supplier of CNC machines, providing 80-90% of Russia’s machine tool imports. In 2023 and Q1 2024, over 340 Chinese entities exported $568.6 million in Western machine tools to Russia, with 70% going to the military-industrial sector. The ESCU notes that many of these transactions involve companies with red flags, such as recently established entities or firms run by Russian citizens.

The report also highlights that 22 of the 30 largest Western CNC manufacturers have production facilities in China, allowing easier transfer of these machines to Russia across the border. Some Russian defense manufacturers, such as Izhevsk Unmanned Systems and NPO Kurganpribor, are using Chinese CNC equipment to expand production capacities for drones and artillery components.

Despite sanctions from the US, EU, and allies, Russia has increasingly sourced CNC machines from China, relying on Western-origin technology embedded within Chinese production. ESCU's Executive Director, Denys Hutyk, urges stricter supply chain control by Western manufacturers to prevent further indirect support to Russia's military-industrial complex through China.

Last month, the US imposed new sanctions on nearly 400 entities tied to Russia’s defense supply chain, underscoring ongoing efforts to curb these indirect supply routes.