Russia is selling military equipment and technology to China that could help Beijing prepare an airborne invasion of Taiwan, according to an analysis of leaked Russian documents by a UK-based defence and security forum.
AP publishes documents of the Royal United Services Institute’s analysis, which is based on around 800 pages, including contracts and lists of equipment to be supplied by Moscow to Beijing, from the Black Moon hacktivist group, which had published some of these documents in the past. It does not identify its members but describes itself in a manifesto as opposing regimes exercising aggressive foreign policy.
The authors of the RUSI report shared some of the documents with The Associated Press and say they appear to be genuine, although parts of the documents may have been omitted or altered. AP is unable to independently verify their authenticity.
The mix of completed and apparent draft Russian documents reference meetings between Chinese and Russian delegations, including visits to Moscow and payment and delivery timelines for high-altitude parachute systems and amphibious assault vehicles. They suggest that Russia has begun work on the products to be delivered but don’t contain direct evidence from the Chinese side that Beijing has paid any money or received any equipment.
The authors argue the equipment could be used to invade Taiwan. Under President Xi Jinping, China has embarked upon a broad modernisation programme of its armed forces with the goal of transforming it into a “world-class” military by 2050.
