Shield-bearers: why are the Chinese secretly exporting bulletproof vests from Russia
According to Russian law enforcement and customs authorities, Chinese citizens have been actively exporting military equipment and dual-use goods from Russia recently. Bulletproof vests, tactical backpacks, military uniforms and other equipment are used to study and further produce analogues from cheap materials. Then these goods are sold both in Russia and abroad, including Ukraine and other hostile countries, experts say. The details are in the Izvestia article.
Malicious violator of the ban
According to Izvestia's source in law enforcement agencies, illegal actions of a Chinese citizen born in 1997 were stopped in Moscow in mid-April. He was detained immediately after sending two unloading vests by mail. Among them were the popular "Ratnik" with a 6x117 patrol satchel and another modular vest. These items were seized. During the investigation, FSB officers identified several more cases of illegal shipment of military equipment samples to China. In particular, at various times, the foreigner sent to the accomplices two 6B45 combined arms body armor, two more modular Ratnik transport vests, combat packs and other military equipment classified by Russian legislation as military equipment.
It should be recalled that Government Decree No. 1299 of July 19, 2022 "On approval of the list of dual-use goods and technologies that can be used in the creation of weapons and military equipment and for which export control is carried out" banned the export of body armor and other military equipment from the country. The source of Izvestia reported that the issue of bringing the Chinese to criminal responsibility under clause 1.1 of Article 226.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation is being considered. The law provides for a penalty of up to seven years in prison for this crime.
Growing interest
Last December, a student from China was also detained in Moscow for smuggling military equipment. The 27-year-old foreigner kept bulletproof vests, bullet casings, armor plates and other equipment right in the dormitory of the university where he studied. During interrogations, he claimed that he legally bought all the items on the classifieds.
Attempts by Chinese citizens to export dual-use equipment, equipment, and materials from Russia have been particularly intensive since 2022. One of the first trials of a foreigner in such criminal cases ended in the fall of 2022: a Chinese citizen was found guilty of attempting to export sensors that can be used to create military equipment. The man received three years of imprisonment in a correctional colony of a general regime. The verdict stated that the perpetrator knew that there was a permit procedure for exporting this part.
According to a source familiar with the situation on the military equipment market, such cases are not uncommon.
"In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of illegal operations related to the export of military and dual—use goods," the source told Izvestia. — This is due to the difference in product prices in different countries, as well as the growing demand for counterfeit goods. The market is saturated due to loopholes in international trade platforms and postal services. These goods are traded both in Russia and in Ukraine.
According to him, counterfeit products made of cheaper materials, copying Russian samples of military uniforms and other items of equipment, are regularly seen on dead Ukrainian servicemen in their combat zone.
Exported and copied
According to Ruslan Shapiev, CEO of RUSARM, military products are strictly prohibited for export. This is especially true for those companies that are contractors of the state defense order. He does not exclude that the export of such products from Russia may be carried out in the interests of foreign intelligence services.
"If a foreigner somehow legally or illegally exports such goods, he may still have serious problems in China," he claims. — But if they have confidence, then it is possible that we are talking about employees of certain special services. Or it's industrial espionage. China has been famous for this feature since the beginning of its economic growth.
The specialist is skeptical about the quality of Chinese counterfeits of defense products, although he notes their low cost.
— There are no questions about Chinese helmets, but there are, to be honest, bulletproof vests. The shape itself, the ergonomics itself, leaves much to be desired. That is, of course, these products protect, but if there is any opportunity to take something from us, then, of course, everyone chooses our, Russian. Despite the fact that even it costs several times more expensive.
Chinese manufacturers are particularly interested in Russian armor plates. In addition, everything that goes into service goes through state tests, which in itself is a significant quality control, the expert noted. He believes that the Chinese have industrial capabilities to produce high-quality equipment for the military, but they do not know how to do it.
According to him, the Chinese look at Russia as a country with vast military experience and grasp every nuance regarding weapons and equipment. He noted that the Russian market now offers models of uniforms that are no worse or even better than their foreign counterparts.
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