Russia's continued advances in the invasion of Ukraine have been
aided by one key feature,
a booming arms industry. Moscow has not only managed to
withstand Western sanctions,
it's gone on to produce weapons at record rates.
For example, at the start of 2024,
Russian capacity for long range missiles had more than doubled
in two years,
aided in large part by external state actors.
Among those, China has been blamed by the West for
contributing the greatest percentage of military related goods what China
is doing is providing.
Invaluable support to Russia's defense industrial base that's helping Russia.
Deal with the massive pressure that's been exerted through sanctions.
Through export controls and other measures,
unlike Iran in North Korea,
Beijing has stopped short of delivering actual weapons.
But Chinese firms still reportedly supply the parts that Russia
needs to build them.
Semiconductors have been delivered on mass as well as navigation
equipment,
parts for fighter jets and equipment for critical computer hardware.
But that's not the only aid that Russia is receiving.
In A twist of irony,
parts have continued to arrive from the West itself.
I'd like to remind you that on numerous occasions.
Western made components were found inside Russian rockets flying over
Ukrainian heads.
Components made in the United States,
Canada, Japan, Germany, Italy and France have passed through third
countries who haven't signed up to Western sanctions.
Those items then get transferred to Russia.
Policing the trade is also proving tough.
As Moscow's advanced weapon systems have depleted.
It's now turned to low grade equipment often used for
civilian purposes,
difficult to track or limit on the international market.
Further, sanctions on suppliers could also indirectly harm Kiev.
Which benefits from similar equipment.
Russia, meanwhile, continues to ramp up production,
with defense spending increasing 68%
from last year.
The aim now is to focus on tightening sanctions and
increase effective production support to Ukraine.