Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky says his country has intelligence there are at least 155 Chinese citizens fighting for the Russian military against Ukraine.
Mr Zelensky claimed that Russia was recruiting Chinese citizens via social media and that Chinese officials were aware of that.
He added that Ukraine was trying to assess whether the recruits were receiving instructions from Beijing.
Zelensky said Ukraine has the last names and passport data for 155 Chinese citizens fighting for the Russian army and that "we believe that there are many more of them."
He shared with journalists documents listing names, passport numbers and personal details of the alleged Chinese recruits, including when they arrived in Russia for military training and departed for service. The documents have not been independently verified.
A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry said earlier China was verifying the situation with Ukraine, adding that its government had always required its citizens to avoid areas of armed conflict and "especially to avoid participating in the military operations of any party".
However, spokesperson Lin Jian rubbished Mr Zelensky’s claim there were “many more” Chinese citizens fighting alongside Russians against Ukraine after the latter released a video of a Chinese soldier taken by Ukrainian forces, one of two Chinese nationals he said were captured fighting for Putin.
Kyiv demanded an explanation from Beijing following the revelation, summoning China’s charge d'affaires as foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said the development “undermines Beijing's credibility as a responsible permanent member of the UN Security Council”.
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Key points
- Zelensky says 155 Chinese soldiers fighting for Russia in Ukraine
- China says it has asked citizens not to join war in Ukraine
- Zelensky blames Putin for including China in Ukraine war
- US calls reports of Chinese troops in Ukraine 'disturbing'
- General calls for US to maintain presence in Europe
- Russia shuts several airports due to major Ukraine aerial raid
Why a spring offensive is significant
20:42
,
Jane Dalton
The head of Ukraine’s armed forces says Russia’s spring offensive has already begun.
Commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s military Oleksandr Syrskyi said in the Kyiv Independent that Moscow had nearly doubled its offensive operations across all main areas.
Winter with its freezing temperatures has meant drone strikes, but warmer weather (and closer to summer, less mud) means moving troops and equipment will be easier for both sides in the war in Ukraine.
Kyiv has expected Russia to launch a new offensive to heap pressure on Ukraine and strengthen the Kremlin’s negotiating position in ceasefire talks.
Citing intelligence reports late last month, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia was preparing new offensives in the northeastern Sumy, Kharkiv and Zaporizizhia regions.
He suggested that Vladimir Putin had been dragging out peace negotiations in order to buy time to “grab more land”.
“Putin wants to negotiate over territory from a stronger position,” he said after his visit to Paris.
More than 150 Chinese citizens fighting with Russia, Zelensky claims
19:16
,
Jane Dalton
Ukrainian intelligence has information there are about 155 Chinese citizens fighting for the Russian military against Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.
Mr Zelensky claimed that Russia was recruiting Chinese citizens via social media and that Chinese officials were aware of that.
He added that Ukraine was trying to assess whether the recruits were receiving instructions from Beijing.
A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry said earlier China was verifying the situation with Ukraine, adding that its government had always required its citizens to avoid areas of armed conflict and "especially to avoid participating in the military operations of any party".
Russian attacks have increased since ceasefire offer, top EU dipomat says
19:02
,
Rachel Clun, Reuters
Russia’s attacks on Ukraine have ramped up since a ceasefire offer was made, the European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said on Wednesday.
The comment came after a meeting with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Brussels.
“Ukraine is fighting a war that only Russia wants to continue. The urgency of international support for Ukraine is clear,” she wrote on X.
Ms Kallas, Vice-President of the European Commission, said Ukraine will soon receive its first tranche of windfall profits on Russian assets, and the aim is for the second tranche to be received gradually from the end of April.
Ukraine's PM thanks EU for support
18:33
,
Rachel Clun
Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said the EU has confirmed its “shared commitment to Ukraine’s EU accession” following a meeting in Brussels on Wednesday.
“We confirmed our shared commitment to Ukraine’s EU accession, deeper integration into the Single Market and the EU’s security architecture,” he wrote on X.
“Ukraine continues delivering reforms and expects to open Cluster 1 and other clusters in 2025.”
He continued: “Grateful for the EU’s unwavering support, Ukraine Facility funding and military assistance plans for 2025.
“We welcome the ReArm Europe initiative, the White Paper on European Defence, and consistent EU sanctions policy.”
Watch: video of captured Chinese soldier
18:02
,
Rachel Clun
Ukraine’s president Volodymr Zelensky shared a video of a Chinese citizen captured by Ukrainian forces.
Mr Zelensky said they captured two Chinese fighters.
He added there were “many more” fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine.
China said that claim “has no basis in fact”.
In pictures: fighting continues ahead of major spring offensive
17:36
,
Rachel Clun
The head of Ukraine’s armed forces said Russia has doubled its mobilisation across all major sectors of the frontline.
Fighting has carried on, as Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi says the spring offensive “has effectively already begun”.
Talks over Ukraine-US minerals deal to continue in Washington this week
17:05
,
Rachel Clun
Negotiations over a minerals deal between Ukraine and the US will continue in Washington this week.
The fresh talks this week come after the US gave Ukraine a new sweeping deal that would, if agreed, give America all profits from its critical minerals as well as gas and oil to pay off Kyiv’s war debt and interest.
The Ukrainian government has set aside $2.7 million (£2.1 million) to go towards consulting services to advise Kyiv on how to “protect the national interests of Ukraine”.
Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed on Monday a delegation including representatives from the ministries of economy, foreign affairs, justice and finance will travel to the US capital this week to continue the negotiations.
“This dialogue reflects the strategic interests of both nations and our shared commitment to building a strong, transparent partnership,” she wrote on X.
“We aim to align on project selection, legal frameworks, and long-term investment mechanisms.”
Russia yet to comment on Chinese fighters
16:35
,
Rachel Clun
Volodymyr Zelensky claimed the capture of Chinese nationals who had been fighting with Russia showed that Vladimir Putin wanted to “continue fighting”.
“Russia's involvement of China, along with other countries, whether directly or indirectly, in this war in Europe is a clear signal that Putin intends to do anything but end the war,” he wrote on X on Tuesday night.
But the Kremlin declined to comment on it when asked on Wednesday morning.
"I cannot comment on this information in any way,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
Claim of numerous Chinese fighters in Ukraine 'has no basis in fact'
16:10
,
Rachel Clun
China’s foreign ministry has rubbished President Volodymyr Zelensky’s claim there were “many more” Chinese citizens fighting alongside Russians against Ukraine.
Spokesperson Lin Jian said: “Such claim has no basis in facts”, when it was put to him on Wednesday morning.
Mr Zelensky’s claim came as he released a video of a Chinese soldier taken by Ukrainian forces, one of two Chinese nationals he said were captured while fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.
Mr Lin said China was working with Ukraine to verify that two citizens had been taken capitve, and stressed the government “always asks Chinese nationals to stay away from areas of armed conflict, avoid any form of involvement in armed conflict, and in particular avoid participation in any party’s military operations”.
Shelling continues as spring offensive starts
15:47
,
Rachel Clun
Ukraine’s military said fighting has continued through the day with 54 combat encounters so far.
In the Kursk region, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said it has repelled six Russian attacks but three confrontations are ongoing.
“Since the beginning of the day, the enemy launched 33 air strikes, in total dropped 58 controlled airstrikes at positions of our troops and settlements and fired 154 artillery shells, including seven from reactive arsenal systems,” the military said on social media.
Why is a spring offensive significant?
15:32
,
Rachel Clun
The head of Ukraine’s armed forces has said Russia’s spring offensive “has already begun”.
Commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s military Oleksandr Syrskyi said in the Kyiv Independent that Moscow has nearly doubled its offensive operations across all main areas in the last week ahead of increased attacks.
This renewed push is significant. Here’s why.
Winter with its freezing temperatures has meant drone strikes, but warmer weather (and closer to summer, less mud) means moving troops and equipment will be easier for both sides in the war in Ukraine.
Kyiv has expected Russia to launch a new offensive to heap pressure on Ukraine and strengthen the Kremlin’s negotiating position in ceasefire talks.
Citing intelligence reports late last month, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia was preparing new offensives in the northeastern Sumy, Kharkiv and Zaporizizhia regions.
He suggested that Vladimir Putin had been dragging out peace negotiations in order to buy time to “grab more land”.
“Putin wants to negotiate over territory from a stronger position,” he said after his visit to Paris.
Ukrainian military analyst Oleksii Hetman, who has connections to the military's general staff, said that the renewed offensive will last for most of 2025.
Watch: Firefighters tackle huge flames after Russia launches massive drone attack on Kharkiv
15:20
,
Alex Croft
Russian military airfield reportedly hit in Ukraine's mass drone attack
15:06
,
Alex Croft
A Russian military airfield has likely come under attack after being targeted in an overnight Ukraine drone attack.
The drones targeted the airfield in Mozdok town in Russia’s North Ossetia–Alania, reported an independent Telegram channel. The airfield hosts Russian MiD-31K carriers of hypersonic missiles.
Mozdok regional head Sergey Menyaylo said air defences have “repelled” the attack in the district, while Russian defence ministry did not acknowledge the strike on the airfield.
Photos and videos shared on social media showed plumes of smoke rising near the area.
Russian authorities did not acknowledge any strike on the Mozdok airfield itself. Regional head Sergey Menyaylo said air defences "repelled" the attack in the Mozdok district.
The US bombing Iran will not promote peace, says Kremlin
14:50
,
Alex Croft
Bombing Iran will not bring about closer, Russia has warned Washington following threats by Donald Trump towards Tehran.
Iran is approaching weekend talks with the US warily, with little confidence in progress and deep suspicions about U.S. intentions, Iranian officials told Reuters on Tuesday.
The talks were announced on Monday by US President Donald Trump, who returned to the White House in January and has repeatedly threatened Washington's decades-long foe Iran with military action if it does not agree to a deal.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow was aware of the "quite harsh rhetoric" and that Tehran was taking preventative measures, and suggested the focus should be contacts rather than confrontation.
"Indeed, the world is growing tired of the endless threats against Iran," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said when asked by Reuters to clarify Russia's approach. "There is a growing understanding that bombing cannot pave the way to peace."
German coalition partners support pursuing Nato membership for Ukraine
14:34
,
Alex Croft
German political parties have reached a coalition agreement following February’s election.
In positive news for Kyiv, the coalition has agreed to pursue Nato membership for Ukraine - one of Volodymyr Zelensky’s priorities and yet a crucial sticking point between Kyiv and Moscow.
Friedrich Merz’s CDU-CSU conservative bloc and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) have spent weeks hashing out a deal for a coalition, which still needs to be ratified by a vote of the SPD's membership
Mapped: Donetsk frontline as 'Putin's spring offensive begins'
14:18
,
Alex Croft
Putin holds Moscow meeting
14:02
,
Rachel Clun
Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with the Director General of the Agency for Strategic Initiatives Svetlana Chupsheva in Moscow.
The meeting comes after Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the Ukrainian president’s claims.
"I cannot comment on this information in any way,” he told reporters.
In pictures: Dnipro clean up after Russian strike
13:48
,
Rachel Clun
The clean up after Russian strikes in Dnipro was well underway on Wednesday.
It comes as the head of Ukraine’s armed forces said Russia had already begun its spring offensive.
Head of Ukraine's armed forces says Russia's spring offensive has 'already begun'
13:27
,
Rachel Clun
The head of Ukraine’s armed forces says a renewed Russian offensive “has actually already begun”.
Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s military, said President Volodymyr Zelensky’s comments that Moscow was amassing forces for a fresh attack in northeastern Ukraine were correct.
"I can say that the president is absolutely right, and this offensive has effectively already begun," he said in comments reported by the Kyiv Independent.
Mr Syrskyi said Russian offensive operations had nearly doubled over the last week.
Ukraine's PM meets with European Investment Bank
13:13
,
Rachel Clun
Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has met with the president of the European Investment Bank, Nadia Calvino, in Brussels today.
Mr Shmyhal said the pair discussed ongoing support for energy, infrastructure and recovery efforts.
“The EIB remains an important financial partner for Ukraine in these difficult times. Grateful for the commitment to Ukraine’s European future,” he wrote on X.
Analysis: What the capture of Chinese soldiers says about Beijing’s role in Ukraine
12:58
,
Rachel Clun
The emergence of Chinese combatants in Donetsk – astutely publicised by Ukraine just as America is in a trade showdown with China – has illuminated the shadows of a very modern conflict, writes Michael Sheridan:
China has been committed to ending war, spokesman says
12:43
,
Rachel Clun
China’s foreign ministry says Beijing has been “committed to ending the conflict” between Ukraine and Russia.
Spokesperson Lin Jian was asked to respond to comments from Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who said the capture of two Chinese soldiers “puts into question China’s declared stance for peace and undermines Beijing’s credibility as a responsible permanent member of the UN Security Council.”
Asked if he agreed with that statement, Mr Lin said: “China has all along upheld an objective and fair position on the issue of the Ukraine crisis. This is very clear. And China has been committed to ending the conflict and promoting talks for peace, which is clear to the international community. “
He continued: “The Ukrainian side needs to view correctly China’s effort and constructive role for the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.”
Full response from China to Ukraine reports
12:29
,
Rachel Clun
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian was asked several questions about Volodymyr Zelensky’s claims on Tuesday that Ukraine had captured two Chinese soldiers who had been among six Chinese people fighting alongside Russians in Ukraine.
Here is how he responded, in a transcript from the foreign ministry.
When asked about the two captured soliders, Mr Lin said: “China is verifying the information with the Ukrainian side. Let me stress that the Chinese government always asks Chinese nationals to stay away from areas of armed conflict, avoid any form of involvement in armed conflict, and in particular avoid participation in any party’s military operations.”
Asked about Mr Zelensky’s claim there were “many more” Chinese citizens fighting with Russia, and whether China knew how many of its citizens were helping Russia, Mr Lin said that “such claim has no basis in facts”.
He continued: China’s position on the issue of the Ukraine crisis is very clear and is widely recognised by the international community. The Ukrainian side needs to view correctly China’s effort and constructive role for the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.
“As to your question on whether the two sides have communicated with each other, I have no information to offer on that.”
Russia claims Ukraine tried to damage gas pipeline
12:16
,
Rachel Clun
Russia’s defence ministry said Ukraine had tried to attack a compressor station that serves the TurkStream pipeline.
In a statement, the ministry said no damage had been caused. The TurkStream pipeline sends gas from Russia to Turkey through the Black Sea.
Reuters said it was unable to verify the battlefield reports, which said Ukraine had carried out six attacks on Russian energy infrastructure over the past day.
Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of attacks on energy infrastructure, despite an agreed 30-day halt to such attacks.
Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that Russian drone strikes damaged civilian infrastructure overnight, including homes and a gas pipeline.
Top Ukraine adviser speaks with UK's Jonathan Powell
12:01
,
Rachel Clun
A top adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken with UK national security advisor Jonathan Powell.
Andriy Yermak, the head of the office of the Ukrainian President, said the pair spoke on the phone.
“The main focus of our discussion was the security situation and joint efforts with our partners to achieve a just and lasting peace for Ukraine,” he wrote on X.
Mr Powell helped broker the 30-day ceasefire deal accepted by Ukraine last month (which was later not accepted by Russia).
It was not immediately clear whether the phone call occurred after Mr Zelensky revealed that Ukraine had captured two Chinese men found fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.
Zelensky says civilians injured, gas pipeline damaged in Russian attacks
11:47
,
Rachel Clun
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian attacks over the last 24 hours have damaged civilian infrastructure and a gas pipeline, reiterating his call for more pressure on Russia to stop the war.
“There were deliberate strikes on Dnipro and Kharkiv, as well as on communities in the Sumy and Donetsk regions. Ordinary houses and civilian infrastructure were damaged – stores, a healthcare center, a gas pipeline,” he said on social media.
“Unfortunately, a significant number of people were injured. Eleven people were taken to hospitals in Dnipro and Kharkiv. In Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, a child — an 11-year-old girl — was injured in a Russian strike.”
He added that Moscow “ignores any diplomacy” and Ukraine needed more support from partners to end the conflict.
“Increasing pressure on Russia is essential to stop the strikes. And that depends on the decisions of the United States, Europe, and all partners around the world who truly want to end this war,” he said.
Ukraine sets money aside for consulting on US minerals deal
11:32
,
Rachel Clun
The Ukrainian government has allocated $2.7 million (£2.1 million) for consulting advice on a minerals deal with the US.
Ukraine and the US are working on a deal to give America access to critical minerals as part of a peace deal with Russia, being brokered by the US.
The White House recently presented an expanded draft of the deal, which would see Ukraine hand over financial rights to critical minerals and natural energy supplies to help pay back Ukraine’s defence debt with America, plus interest.
Ukraine wants consulting assistance "to protect the national interests of Ukraine and to formulate the position of Ukraine", by taking into account American and Ukrainian legislations, a government document seen by Reuters said.
Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on Monday that Ukraine will send a team to Washington this week to continue the negotiations.
Key reactions so far to the capture of Chinese fighters in Ukraine
11:17
,
Rachel Clun
Volodymyr Zelensky shared a video yesterday of a Chinese fighter who, according to the Ukrainian president, was captured while fighting alongside Russian forces inside Ukraine.
He was one of two soldiers captured, but Zelensky claimed “many more” Chinese fighters were working alongside Russia.
Here’s how countries responded.
US labels revelations ‘disturbing’
US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the reports were “disturbing”.
"China is a major enabler of Russia in the war in Ukraine," Ms Bruce said on Tuesday.
China says it is verifying the claims
China’s foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Beijing was working to verify Mr Zelensky’s claims, adding that the government “always asks” citizens to avoid participating in any armed conflict.
Responding on Wednesday morning, Mr Lin also hit out at claims that there were “many more” Chinese fighters working with Russia as “totally unfounded”.
Russia declines to comment
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "I cannot comment on this information in any way”.
In pictures: emergency services respond to Russian attacks
11:03
,
Rachel Clun
Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of a drone attack in Kharkiv overnight as fighting continues.
Kremlin declines to comment on claims of Chinese fighting with Russia
10:48
,
Rachel Clun
The Kremlin has declined to comment on comments from Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine captured two Chinese men who had been fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine.
"I cannot comment on this information in any way," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters this morning.
Volodymyr Zelensky shared a video yesterday of one of the captured men, and said there were “many more” Chinese fighters among Russia’s ranks.
China working to verify Zelensky's claim about Chinese fighters
10:27
,
Rachel Clun
China’s foreign ministry said it was working to verify Volodymyr Zelensky’s claims about Chinese fighters.
The Ukrainian president revealed two Chinese soldiers had been captured after fighting in eastern Ukraine alongside Russian forces, and he said there were “many more” Chinese fighters among Russian ranks.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the claim that there were significant numbers of Chinese people fighting with Russia was "totally unfounded”.
He said: "The Chinese government always asks Chinese citizens to stay away from conflict zones, avoid getting involved in any form of armed conflict, and especially refrain from participating in any party's military operations."
Mr Lin added that China has played a "constructive role in politically resolving the Ukraine crisis” and has always asked citizens to avoid getting involved in any form of armed conflict.
Former Ukrainian commander says country's military chief must quit
10:16
,
Rachel Clun
A former Ukrainian brigade leader has hit out at the country’s military commander, accusing him of putting soldiers’ lives at risk.
Bohdan Krotevych had been chief of staff of the Azov brigade until he quit in February, and told The Guardian in an interview that Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi “must go” and the whole military’s leadership needed a refresh.
Mr Krotevych said commanders were “asking of soldiers things which they wouldn’t ask of themselves”.
Some of those orders according to Mr Krotevych included asking soldiers to rest 50 metres from the frontline when their shifts were over, which he argued put “all these people in grave danger”.
“I started receiving from the high army command, from the commander-in-chief HQ, orders that became more and more borderline criminal, which I, in my good conscience, was unable to fulfil and follow,” he said in the interview.
In pictures: Ukraine damage after Russian attack
10:02
,
Rachel Clun
Ukraine’s military said Russia launched 55 drone attacks overnight.
While the General Staff of the Armed forces said 32 drones were shot down and eight were lost, others struck targets, including in Dnipro.
Ukrainian deputy prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko said 15 people were injured in strikes on Dnipro, and eight remain in hospital. She said drones hit four apartment buildings and dozens of cars.
Watch: Ukraine firefighters tackle massive blaze after Russian drone attack
09:47
,
Holly Patrick
Russia’s massive drone attack on Kharkiv last night caused multiple fires to break out, injuring at least two people, according to local officials.
China objects to Ukraine claims about Chinese fighters
09:32
,
Rachel Clun, with Reuters
China's Foreign Ministry has objected to Volodymyr Zelensky’s remarks that more Chinese citizens were at the frontline alongside Russians, calling them "groundless".
The Ukrainian president said his forces had captured two Chinese soldiers who had been fighting alongside Russian forces in eastern Ukraine, and said there were “many more” Chinese fighters working with Russia.
This morning China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said: "Ukraine should correctly view China's efforts and constructive role in seeking a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis.”
He said China was verifying the situation with Ukraine, adding that Beijing had always required its citizens to avoid areas of armed conflict and "especially to avoid participating in the military operations of any party".
Beijing is a close diplomatic ally of Moscow, and has not condemned Russia’s full-scale invasion. Beijing said it has been objective and fair on the war.
Russia claims Ukraine continues to strike energy infrastructure
09:14
,
Rachel Clun
Russia’s foreign ministry says Ukraine has continued to target Russian energy infrastructure on a daily basis.
The US had brokered a 30-day ceasefire on energy infrastructure between Russia and Ukraine, but both sides have accused each other of violating that truce.
Reuters was unable to verify Russia’s claims.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko said Russia was continuing to target civilians, with overnight drone strikes injuring three in Kramatorsk, including an 11-year-old girl.
“It's naive to believe that Russians have any other plan than to continue this expansion [of] these attacks,” she said on X.
What Ukraine has said about Chinese fighters
08:58
,
Rachel Clun
The Ukrainian President revealed yesterday that two Chinese men had been captured in Ukraine, fighting alongside Russian forces.
Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian forces had battled six Chinese citizens in the eastern Donetsk region and took two of the men prisoner.
Mr Zelensky shared a video of one of the prisoners, who appeared with his hands zip-tied together.
Kyiv summoned China’s charge d’affaires, demanding an explanation from Beijing.
The Ukrainian president noted the difference between North Korea’s 12,000 troops helping Russia and the latest development: "The North Koreans were fighting on the Kursk front against us. The Chinese are fighting on the territory of Ukraine.”
China says it has asked citizens not to join war in Ukraine
08:24
