Chinese state-owned company Jilin Chemical Fiber Group shipped approximately 46 metric tons of polyacrylonitrile precursor to a Russian facility in early-to-mid 2026, enough material to produce carbon fiber for up to 1,300 Geran-type kamikaze drones, Russia’s domestic version of the Iranian Shahed. The shipments were routed to Alabuga-Volokno, a subsidiary of Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear conglomerate that Western governments sanctioned in 2023 specifically for its role in military production, and were disguised under civilian customs codes to avoid export-control flags. Documented procurement ties between Jilin and the Russian facility date back to 2022, according to Politico’s investigation. Washington and Brussels are now weighing whether to impose secondary sanctions on Jilin Chemical Fiber Group, which remains unsanctioned and was therefore able to supply the sanctioned entity at scale.
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