Chinese Firms Expand Their Presence in Russia
According to Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service, the number of companies founded by Chinese citizens in Russia saw a significant rise in 2025. This expansion is occurring against a backdrop of a shrinking domestic e-commerce sector, highlighting a shift in the country's economic landscape. This trend underscores the deepening economic ties between the two nations as Russia faces international isolation.
The intelligence service reports that one in every five new online businesses registered in Russia during 2025 was established by Chinese entrepreneurs. The total number of Chinese companies in Russia's online retail sector surged by 140% last year, while new business registrations by Chinese entities grew by 86% compared to 2024 figures. This data points to an aggressive push by Chinese businesspeople into the Russian market.
In stark contrast, the number of active sellers on major Russian online platforms fell by 6.9% between February and December 2025—the first such decline ever recorded. Even more striking was a 17.8% annual drop in new seller registrations, indicating waning domestic entrepreneurial activity. As Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service stated:
“Chinese entrepreneurs were behind every fifth new online business launched in Russia in 2025. This refers to companies where either the founder or the general director is a Chinese national.”
Market Impact and Economic Consequences
These shifts are happening in a challenging environment for local sellers. Marketplace commissions can range from 25% to 40% of turnover, and with additional fees, can consume 50-70% of revenue. Logistics costs for sellers have skyrocketed, increasing by 33-89% since 2023, while platform commissions have risen by 58-63%. These rising costs are likely hampering the ability of Russian entrepreneurs to compete with new, well-resourced Chinese entrants.
E-commerce dominates the new wave of Chinese companies, accounting for 50.88% of all new Chinese firms established in Russia in 2025. Other significant sectors include:
- wholesale trade (19.03%),
- retail trade (9.24%),
- manufacturing (3.42%).
This sectoral distribution signals a structural change in the market, with Chinese businesses capturing substantial niches that could shape the future trajectory of the Russian economy.
The growing footprint of Chinese companies reflects strengthened economic links between Beijing and Moscow, particularly as Russia's internal economic indicators show negative trends. This is poised to alter the competitive dynamics of online retail, where Chinese entrepreneurs may gain an edge through lower costs and strategic investments. Russian businesses, meanwhile, face mounting pressures from higher commissions and logistics expenses, which could constrain their growth potential. Consequently, the evolving market situation requires close monitoring to understand the long-term implications for Russia's business structure.