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January 28, 2026

Institute for the Study of War: China supplying missiles and drones to aid Russia operations in Ukraine

Institute for the Study of War

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) continues to provide critical support to Russia’s weapons production, including Oreshnik missiles and Shahed long-range drones. The Telegraph reported on January 28 that it has identified $10.3 billion worth of technology and advanced equipment that the PRC has sent to Russia during an unspecified time frame.[1] The Telegraph reported that Russia is using Chinese computer numerical control machines (CNC) to produce Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) at the Votkinsk Plant in the Republic of Udmurtia and to produce Shahed-type drones at the Alabuga Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) in the Republic of Tatarstan. The Telegraph found that the PRC also supplies millions of dollars’ worth of microchips, memory boards, ball bearings, telescopic sights, and mounted piezoelectric crystals to Russia. The PRC continues to refrain from directly supplying Russia with weapons but is supplying components and equipment, many of which are dual-use, to the Russian DIB instead. ISW continues to assess that the PRC’s supplies to the Russian DIB have enabled Russia to improve and scale up its production of drones that Russian forces use to launch long-range strikes against the Ukrainian rear and to strike the Ukrainian near rear to generate battlefield air interdiction (BAI) effects along the front line.[2]

Ukrainian forces continued their strike campaign against Russian military assets near the front line and in the Russian near rear on the night of January 27 to 28. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces struck military assets in the Russian near rear, including a manpower concentration and drone control point near Velyka Novosilka, Donetsk Oblast (roughly 23 kilometers from the front line); a manpower concentration near Hryhorivka, Donetsk Oblast (roughly 13 kilometers from the front line); and an ammunition depot near Nyzhnya Duvanka, Luhansk Oblast (roughly 25 kilometers from the front line).[3] The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces also struck Russian military assets near the front line, including manpower concentrations near Shakhove (east of Dobropillya) and Hulyaipole; a battalion command post near Berezove (southeast of Oleksandrivka); and a manpower concentration in Kolotylivka, Belgorod Oblast (west of Sumy City and north of Hrabovske). Ukrainian forces began increasing their mid-range strike campaign in late December 2025 and are undertaking their own battlefield air interdiction (BAI) campaign to parallel Russia’s BAI campaign that enabled Russian advances in Fall 2025.[4] Ukrainian forces likely seek to use their mid-range strikes to counter recent Russian advances.

Key Takeaways

  1. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) continues to provide critical support to Russia’s weapons production, including Oreshnik missiles and Shahed long-range drones.
  2. Ukrainian forces continued their strike campaign against Russian military assets near the front line and in the Russian near rear on the night of January 27 to 28.
  3. Ukrainian forces recently advanced near Pokrovsk.
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Wilson Center

Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

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The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.

Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.

It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.