Ukraine’s foreign ministry has summoned China’s ambassador in response to allegations made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian leader claims that Chinese nationals are working at a drone production site in Russia, possibly using stolen Chinese technology. Zelenskyy suggested that Russia may have illegally acquired this technology through an agreement with Chinese citizens, bypassing official Chinese government channels.
On Tuesday, Zelenskyy called for Ukraine’s Security Service to provide more information on the matter to Chinese authorities. He emphasized concerns that Russia may have stolen Chinese technology. In addition to this, the Ukrainian government raised concerns over reports of Chinese citizens fighting for the Russian military. Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhen Perebyinis stated that this involvement of Chinese citizens in Russian military actions contradicts Ukraine’s expectations of China’s neutrality in the conflict. He urged China to cease supporting Russia, citing previous assurances from Beijing that it would not take sides in the war.
At the time of writing, Beijing had not commented on the latest allegations. Zelenskyy’s statements on Tuesday were an extension of remarks made last week, in which he claimed Ukrainian intelligence suggested China was supplying weapons, including gunpowder and artillery, to Russia. He also alleged that Chinese representatives were involved in the production of military equipment on Russian soil. China has consistently denied providing military support to Russia.
Zelenskyy has previously stated that at least 155 Chinese nationals are operating alongside Russian forces, and two alleged Chinese soldiers were recently captured and displayed by Ukraine.
Meanwhile, international talks on a potential ceasefire continue. Representatives from Ukraine, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States will meet in London on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of peace talks. Media reports suggest that the U.S. is advocating for a peace agreement that heavily favors Russia, though details remain unclear. U.S. envoy to Ukraine, General Keith Kellogg, will attend the talks, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has pulled out of the discussions.
In Russia-Ukraine conflict updates, overnight drone strikes by Russia targeted several regions of Ukraine, causing significant damage to civilian infrastructure. Ukrainian officials reported casualties in the Poltava and Odesa regions. Further south, Russian drone attacks on Myrnograd killed three people and wounded two. Additional Russian strikes on Zaporizhzhia and Kherson caused further fatalities and injuries.
