China has apparently refused to provide aircraft parts to Russia amid the latter country’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which has seen it economically isolated by sanctions and other economic counter-measures seeking to punish the Putin regime for the war. As summarized in Business Standard, “For the supply of aeroplane parts, Russia now plans to seek assistance from India, Turkey and other countries, reported Global Defense Corp.” As Valery Kudinov — an official at Rosaviatsia, the Russian government agency responsible for the civil aviation industry — explained things: “We have tasked airlines with looking for a possible supplier of parts on their own. As far as I know, there is information that a request has been made to China, but China has refused to do it.”
Kudinov added, “We will be looking (for opportunities) in other countries. Perhaps, via our partners, Turkey, or via India. Every company will reach an agreement on its own while we (Rosaviatsiya) will merely help legalise these parts.” Boeing and Airbus — key sources for the aircraft used by Russian airlines — recently moved to shut down their provision of spare parts to Russia, heightening the problem for those inside the country dealing with the issues. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently enacted a law that will “allow Russian airlines to take control of hundreds of the Western-built planes leased from international firms,” Business Insider explained, with the planes apparently set to be used on routes inside the country. (Flights between Russia and numerous other countries have been sharply restricted since the war in Ukraine started.)
Meanwhile, Russian officials have apparently reached out to Chinese leaders to request military assistance and economic aid amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. According to The New York Times, “The State Department sent cables to allies saying that China had given positive signals on military aid, a European official said on Monday.” A high-ranking official at the Defense Department “said the United States had received indications before the Rome meeting [between national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Chinese official Yang Jiechi] that China was inclined to oblige the Russian request,” according to additional Times reporting. Russia has become the most-sanctioned country in the world in response to its invasion of Ukraine, which has already killed thousands of civilians there and is continuing to inflict devastating impacts on local populations. Well over 3 million people have already fled Ukraine, and the destruction that has been wrought inside the country — making arriving at any post-war sense of security even more difficult — is immense.
⚡️Ukraine's Air Force: Fourteen Russian aerial units destroyed on March 17.
According to Ukraine’s Air Force Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Ukraine’s air defense destroyed seven aircraft, one helicopter, three UAVs, and three cruise missiles.
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) March 18, 2022
Although Putin has had the support of Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko amid the Ukraine war, he lost the backing of other occasional allies towards its beginning. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that “together with our European Union and NATO allies, we condemn Russia’s military action,” and his country’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijijarto continued: “Hungary’s position is clear: we stand by Ukraine, we stand by Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.”
⚡️ Luhansk Oblast most dangerous region in Ukraine, says governor.
According to Luhansk Oblast Governor Serhiy Haidai, the Russian military is trying to take Rubizhne and continues to shell the area. Haidai says fighting is taking place all over the region.
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) March 17, 2022
