Companies aiding the Russian military despite Western sanctions is of growing concern for the Ukrainian allies. The G7 is reportedly now discussing further sanctions on Chinese companies for supplying non-lethal aid to Russia. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been asking western countries to tighten sanctions against Russia. In June the US sanctioned five Chinese companies, but in September Biden said there was no evidence of China providing weapons to Russia.

Data analysts say there is clear evidence that China has dramatically increased military shipments to Russia since Putin's forces invaded Ukraine. A network of Chinese defense companies, operating directly under the Chinese state-owned assets commission, has been steadily supplying Russia wih the military hardware it needs. Almost 2000 companies operate within the Poly Group network, including a defense conglomerate called Poly Technologies. In October a company called China Taly Aviation shipped radar parts for the S-400 anti-aircraft system to a Russian defense contractor, Almaz Antey. That transaction was detailed in a Wall Street Journal Article, based on data from C-4 ADS; and between June and November there were multiple shipments of parts for M171 helicopters - this time Poly Technologies selling to Ulan Ude Aviation Plant. But because of complex supply chains, it's not just Chinese companies that are implicated.