Zelensky: Two Chinese citizens fighting for Russia have been captured.
Ukrainian President Zelensky stated regarding two Chinese soldiers, "This is another country providing military support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Another one after the forces of Iran and North Korea."
In a statement on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that two Chinese nationals fighting alongside the Russian army had been captured in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian leader said, "Our army captured two Chinese nationals fighting in the Russian army. This incident occurred on Ukrainian territory, in the Donetsk region. We have documents, bank cards, and personal data of these prisoners." Zelensky shared images of one of the captives and claimed that Ukraine is aware of other Chinese individuals fighting in the Russian army, stating, "We have information that there are many more than just these two Chinese nationals in the occupier's forces." Earlier last year, around 12,000 North Korean soldiers were deployed to support Russian forces in the Kursk region. According to Zelensky, North Korean troops fighting for Russia have suffered about 4,000 casualties, two-thirds of whom are dead. Meanwhile, Iran is also providing support to Moscow, including drones, but currently has no personnel in Ukraine. Regarding the two Chinese soldiers, Zelensky said, "This is another country providing military support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Another one after the forces of Iran and North Korea." "However, there is a difference: the North Koreans were fighting against us at the Kursk front, while the Chinese are fighting on Ukrainian territory. I believe this is an important issue we need to discuss with our partners." The Ukrainian President told reporters that he instructed officials in Kyiv to obtain a statement from Beijing. China has become a key partner for Russia since the beginning of the large-scale invasion. The country has become Moscow's largest supplier of dual-use goods used in arms production.
Urgent UN Security Council meeting requested
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that following Russia's deadly attack on Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine initiated an urgent meeting in the UN Security Council and a special meeting in the OSCE Permanent Council. The minister wrote, "The ballistic attack that Russia carried out on Kryvyi Rih last week caused the death of nine children, reaching the highest number of Ukrainian children killed in a single attack since 2022. Russia targeted playgrounds in an ordinary residential area. It used cluster bombs to maximize casualties."
Meanwhile, Ukrainian media reported that at least three people were killed and 19 were injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine on Tuesday. Regional governor Vadym Filashkin stated that two people died and two others were injured due to Russian bombardment in Donetsk. According to regional governor Oleh Syniehubov, one more person died in Kharkiv and five others, including a child, were injured. Ukrainian officials also reported that at least 17 people were injured in Kherson and Dnipro. According to the Ukrainian army, Russia launched 46 drones overnight towards Ukraine, including Shahed-type attack drones and a ballistic missile.