The US Treasury Department on Thursday announced sanctions against two Chinese companies accused of directly helping Russia manufacture long-range attack drones used in Ukraine. It is the first time the US has imposed penalties on Chinese makers of drone engines and parts for "developing and producing complete weapons systems" in collaboration with Russian companies,

China has forged closer ties with Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, but it has repeatedly denied supplying weapons.

The U.S. Treasury has announced sanctions against two Chinese makers of drone engines and parts that the Biden administration says directly helped Russia build long-range attack drones used in the war in Ukraine.