Ukraine’s Zelensky says Chinese citizens working at drone production site in Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Chinese citizens were working at a drone production site in Russia and suggested that Moscow may have “stolen” drone technology from China.

The Ukrainian leader made the comment at a news conference in Kyiv days after he said China was supplying weapons and gunpowder to Russia, the first time he has accused Beijing of direct military aid to Moscow, something China staunchly denies.

By suggesting Russia may have obtained drone technology from China without Beijing actually knowing, Zelensky appeared to be softening his tone towards China, which casts itself as neutral on the war in Ukraine.

The flurry of Ukrainian allegations directed at China, the world’s second largest economy, in recent days has been particularly striking at a sensitive moment for Kyiv in the US-led diplomatic effort to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Zelensky said earlier this month that Russia was recruiting Chinese nationals via social media to fight in its armed forces and that Beijing officials were aware of that. He added that Kyiv was trying to assess whether the recruits were receiving instructions from Beijing.

China has reaffirmed its support for peace efforts in Ukraine and said relevant parties should avoid “irresponsible remarks”, in an apparent jab at Zelensky’s comment about Chinese citizens fighting there for Russia.