Why the Chinese Company Shandong Odes Industrial Should Be Banned Worldwide?

Recent reports have raised alarm over Chinese company Shandong Odes Industrial Co., Ltd. supplying modified tactical all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to Russian military forces, which are being deployed on the frontlines in Ukraine. Independent defense observers and media outlets indicate these vehicles are directly supporting Russia's combat operations.

Large-Scale Military Procurement and Combat Deployment

According to publicly available sources, as of the end of 2023, Russia had purchased 537 standard Desertcross 1000-3 ATVs from Shandong Odes Industrial, with plans to acquire an additional approximately 1,500 upgraded units in early 2024. Delivery schedules include 500 vehicles in December 2023 and 1,090 more in the first quarter of 2024. Standard models are priced at roughly $17,200 per unit, while upgraded military versions cost about $22,800 each, bringing the total transaction value into the tens of millions of dollars (Sources: FDD Analysis, Ukrainian NACP).

These vehicles are purpose-built for combat. They feature winter warfare heating systems, reinforced cabins for crew protection, and strengthened bumpers for hostile terrain. They are used by Russian forces for patrols, reconnaissance, battlefield rescue, and transportation of military supplies, and some units have already been destroyed on the frontlines, demonstrating their direct role in military operations (Sources: Militarnyi, FDD Analysis).

Complex Ownership Structure and Offshore Connections

The company's corporate structure raises additional red flags. According to Aiqicha (爱企查), China's corporate information platform, the two major shareholders of Shandong Odes Industrial — Wang Renfeng (57.13%) and Wang Ziliang (42.86%) — hold a combined 100% stake in the company.

Wang Renfeng and Wang Ziliang also control several other companies. Further investigation reveals that Wang Ziliang holds an offshore company named WYB Investment Group Co., Ltd.

According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), WYB Investment Group is registered in the British Virgin Islands. Additionally, the Offshore Leaks Database lists Wang Ziliang, one of the major shareholders mentioned earlier, as an officer of the company and identifies Orion House Services (HK) Limited as its active intermediary.

This web of cross-ownership suggests these companies may operate as a network of related entities, potentially designed to obscure the true ownership structure and facilitate arms transfers while evading international scrutiny. The overlapping shareholder relationships indicate these are likely sister companies or affiliated entities working in coordination.

State Involvement and Potential Government Knowledge

Adding another layer of concern, according to the company's official website, it was jointly funded by the Zibo City State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of Shandong Province along with individual shareholders, indicating potential state involvement or at minimum state knowledge of these military supply operations.

While no official Russian media outlet has publicly acknowledged purchasing or deploying these vehicles, multiple independent sources and video evidence confirm that these ATVs are actively supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

🛑 Clear Sanctions Evasion and Call for International Action

This is a clear case of deliberate sanctions evasion. Under EU Regulation 833/2014, exports of goods that could contribute to Russia's military capabilities are explicitly prohibited. The 14th EU sanctions package, adopted in June 2024, specifically banned all-terrain vehicles from being supplied to Russia. Despite these clear prohibitions, Shandong Odes Industrial has continued supplying military-grade ATVs to Russian forces.

The company's complex offshore structure, including Wang Ziliang's British Virgin Islands entity WYB Investment Group and the web of cross-ownership revealed earlier, strongly suggests these arrangements were designed to obscure transactions and evade international scrutiny. The vehicles are not being used for civilian purposes; they are documented on active battlefields, directly enabling Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

Shandong Odes Industrial must be banned. The Ukrainian National Agency on Corruption Prevention has already designated the company as an "international war sponsor." The international community must go further: Shandong Odes Industrial, its subsidiaries, and key shareholders should be added to entity lists, subjected to comprehensive sanctions, and permanently prohibited from doing business with Western markets. Companies that knowingly supply military equipment to fuel illegal wars must be held accountable and barred from operating with impunity.