Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made serious accusations against China, claiming it is supplying Russia with gunpowder, artillery, and possibly even manufacturing weapons on Russian soil. Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv, on Thursday, April 17th, Zelenskyy stated:
“We believe that Chinese representatives are engaged in the production of some weapons on the territory of Russia.”
Ukraine’s intelligence has gathered evidence to support these claims, he said, and announced that his administration would “speak in greater detail next week” about Beijing’s alleged involvement.
For the first time since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Kyiv has confirmed the capture of Chinese nationals fighting for Moscow. The Ukrainian military, with President Zelenskyy’s approval, made the highly controversial decision to parade these prisoners of war before the press.
Officials in Beijing responded by claiming that the two men were acting as private individuals. The Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasized that it has repeatedly warned citizens not to participate in the war.
CNN also reviewed a contract shown by a Ukrainian intelligence source. Signed by another Chinese fighter, it contained some interesting conditions: the volunteer would participate in combat during wartime and emergencies, support peacekeeping efforts abroad, and counter “international terrorist activity” outside Russia’s borders.
