M23 rebels in eastern Congo boost firepower with Chinese arms as Russia blames Ukraine

Analysts report that the M23 rebel movement, which now controls roughly 10,000 km² of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and affects more than five million people, is equipped with Chinese‑manufactured weapons. The arms, originally sold to Rwanda, have been diverted to M23 fighters, giving them firepower comparable to the Congolese army. Chinese‑made equipment such as Type‑85 machine guns, HJ‑9A armoured vehicles and Type‑56 rifles have been recovered from M23 positions.

At the same time, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov alleged that Ukrainian mercenaries are supporting M23, a claim denied by both Ukraine and the rebel group. The Russian delegation also warned of foreign drone operators with combat experience from Ukraine, while UN experts identified Chinese, Taiwanese, Czech and Turkish components in drones used in recent attacks, including a Turkish Bayraktar TB2 employed by the Rwandan army.

The convergence of Chinese arms supplies, Rwandan backing, and Russian accusations of Ukrainian involvement underscores the complex international dimensions of the conflict in the Kivu provinces.