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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia Executes Revenge Strikes Against Ukraine For Blowing Up Its Bombers
In one of the war's largest cross-border exchanges, Ukrainian forces hit airfields, fuel depots and other military targets while Russia launched hundreds of drones and scores of missiles at cities across Ukraine that killed at least three and wounded dozens. The bombardment came just days after Ukraine launched a wide-scale, successful attack on long-range military aviation assets from within Russia. You can read more about that in our coverage here. Ukraine launched 'a preemptive strike' on several Russian military targets ahead of a looming Russian attack, the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff claimed on Facebook. 'On the eve of the massive enemy shelling, enemy airfields and other important military facilities were hit.' Russia said its barrage was retaliation for the destruction of its bombers. A 'successful strike was carried out on the Engels airfield in the Saratov region – a place of concentration of enemy aircraft remaining after the operation of the Security Service of Ukraine,' the General Staff added. 'The Diaghilev airfield in the Ryazan region, where air tankers and escort fighters are based, which are used to provide missile strikes on the territory of Ukraine, was also hit.' Ukraine launches massive overnight strike on Russian territory: Bryansk airfield hit again — likely Iskanders targeted Oil depot in Engels serving bomber base Dyagilevo Air Base near Ryazan 'Progress' military plant in Michurinsk Blasts in Podolsk, Crimea & more — Ivan Khomenko (@KhomenkoIv60065) June 6, 2025 In addition, 'the Defense Forces of Ukraine attacked a number of important enemy facilities on the territory of the Russian Federation and temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine. In particular, the defeat of the logistics point of the 30th motorized rifle regiment of the 72nd motorized rifle division of the Russian Army near the settlement of Kulbaky, Kursk region, was recorded. The results of the defeat are being clarified. Strikes on military infrastructure will continue until the complete cessation of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.' The Russian Defense Ministry (MoD) downplayed the attacks, saying its 'alerted air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 174 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles over Bryansk, Rostov, Saratov, Voronezh, Kaluga, Kursk, Oryol, Ryazan, Tula, Belgorod, Tambov, and Moscow regions, and the Republic of Crimea.' The MoD also claimed that 'three Ukrainian Neptune-MD guided missiles were also destroyed over the Black Sea by air defense systems.' The War Zone cannot independently verify these claims. Videos and images emerged on social media showing the fuel depot at Engels, about 400 miles from the border, being struck and fully engulfed in flames. Ukrainian OWA-UAV overflying Volga river to hit the Rosrezerva fuel depot in Engels, already visibly burning in the video. — Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) June 6, 2025 Several Ukrainian long-range drones struck a fuel depot this morning at Russia's Engels-2 Airbase in the Saratov Oblast, causing a number of fires to erupt at the home of the 121st Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment and the 184th Heavy Bomber Aviation Regiment. — OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 6, 2025 Ukraine strikes Russian air bases in 'preemptive strike' ahead of drone, missile attack, General Staff strikes reportedly targeted Engels and Dyagilevo airfields — two key hubs for Russia's long-range bomber — The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) June 6, 2025 The attack on Dyagilevo, about 300 miles from the border, was also captured on video. Russia's Dyagilevo, Ryazan Oblast – home to an airbase. TG/Supernova+ — Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) June 6, 2025 The extent of the destruction at either facility is as yet unclear, though clearly the raging fires at Engels have caused significant damage. Saratov Gov. Roman Busargin acknowledged an attack, but downplayed the damage. 'As a result of the UAV attack, there is a fire at one of the industrial enterprises in Engels,' he claimed on Telegram. 'There are no preliminary casualties. All relevant services are working on the scene. Specialists are taking all necessary measures to eliminate the consequences.' Satellite images we obtained of Dyagilevo appear to show little to no damage to the airfield operating area. A closer view shows a Tu-95MS Bear-H long-range turboprop bomber and two Il-76 Candid transport aircraft, covered in tires, parked at Dyagilevo. A decoy outline of a Candid can also be seen. Dyagilevo and Engels have been frequent targets for Ukraine. The former was attacked on June 1 during Ukraine's audacious Operation Spiderweb that saw several Russian bombers and other aircraft destroyed or damaged by drones launched from trucks by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). While a high-resolution satellite image of Dyagilevo from Planet Labs, taken on June 2 and reviewed by TWZ, showed no obvious signs of damage to any aircraft there, some may have been hit by shrapnel, against which relatively thin-skinned aircraft are notably vulnerable, and this would not necessarily be visible even in higher-resolution imagery. You can see one image taken in the aftermath of Operation Spider Web below. Satellite images of Dyagilevo Airbase as of June 2, 8:55 UTCThe airbase housed 3 Tu-95MS (Bear-H), 5 Tu-22M3 (Backfire-C), 14 Il-78M or Il-76MD (Midas or Candid) and 2 Su-30SM (Flanker-C).There was no serious damage after the Ukrainian special operation. In the right… — AviVector (@avivector) June 2, 2025 Engels was attacked three times in the month of December 2022 alone. On at least one of those occasions, the Russian Ministry of Defense said the air base was attacked by Soviet-made jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicles modified by Ukraine to carry explosives. Those attacks — which also targeted Dyagilevo Air Base — resulted in damage to at least one Tu-22M3 Backfire-C bomber and apparently also to a Tu-95MS. More recently, in March, ammunition and weapons storage bunkers at Engels were destroyed in a Ukrainian drone attack there. The attack resulted in a massive fireball and mushroom cloud. You can read our initial story about it here. In January of this year, we reported on a huge fire close to Engels Air Base, caused by what Russian officials described as a 'massive' Ukrainian drone attack. The strike was on the strategically important fuel storage tank farm for Engels and the fire raged for several days after, as seen in the image in the embedded tweet below: Russia's Rosreserv fuel depot in Engels continued to burn today after a Ukrainian drone attack last night, with multiple additional storage tanks igniting throughout the day. Within the last hour, the regional governor of Saratov declared a state of emergency. — OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) January 8, 2025 In addition to those bases, two Russian helicopters were struck by Ukrainian drones at the Bryansk International Airport, according to the ASTRA news outlet. That airport is located about 75 miles from the border. 'According to ASTRA sources in the Russian Emergencies Ministry, as a result of the hits, an Mi-8 combat helicopter completely burned down, and its combat kit detonated,' ASTRA claimed on Telegram. 'An Mi-35 helicopter was also partially damaged. In addition, the airport's administrative building and the rescue service building were damaged. Several dozen employees were evacuated from the Ozon warehouse, not far from which the airport is located. There were no casualties.' Video and images from the scene showed a massive explosion creating a large fireball at the airport. russian war correspondents confirm the destruction of Iskanders at an airfield in #BryanskHuge blow — Азов South 𝕏 (@Azovsouth) June 5, 2025 Bryanks airport in russia is struck by drones, causing a large explosion. — War Monitor Clips (@WarMonitorClips) June 6, 2025 Ukrainian Drones have struck the Russian Air Base in Bryansk, after attacking Bryansk with over a dozen UAVsThere are massive detonations of ammunition being reported by the locals — Ukraine Battle Map (@ukraine_map) June 5, 2025 Meanwhile in Russia's Bryansk — Illia Ponomarenko (@IAPonomarenko) June 5, 2025 Ukraine also reportedly attacked Tambov Oblast, about 250 miles northeast of the border. The Supernova+ Telegram channel shared footage from Michurinsk in Tambov Oblast and claimed that drones struck the Progress plant there, which manufactures equipment for aircraft and missile control systems, as well as for gas and oil pipeline infrastructure. The Exilenova Telegram channel stated that the strike hit the central workshop, leading to a roof collapse. Images showed fire damage and signs of electronic warfare systems operating at the time of the strike. Michurinsk, Tambov 'Progress' plant after a nighttime UAV strike. In the second photo, we can see the effective work of electronic warfare (EW) plant manufactures high-tech equipment for control systems of aviation and missile technology, as well as a… — Exilenova+ (@Exilenova_plus) June 6, 2025 Moscow's mayor claimed that nine Ukrainian drones were shot down over his city, according to ASTRA. Moscow region, RussiaSix UAVs flying toward Moscow shot down in Moscow region. Fire at drone crash site in Podolsk, – VChK-OGPU — LX (@LXSummer1) June 6, 2025 There were also claims that Ukrainian forces hit a tower once used to extract gas from the Black Sea. 'A new mark of fires at sea has appeared on one of the platforms in the Karkinitsky Gulf near Crimea,' the Crimean Wind monitoring group claimed on Telegram, citing NASA fire data. 'Our source reported a battle at sea last night. Let us recall that Russia is placing radar stations, signal repeaters for drones, and reconnaissance equipment on gas production platforms.' A Neva radar system, storage facilities and a residential module on the tower were destroyed in an attack on May 19, according to Crimean Wind. A new fire mark at sea has appeared on one of the platforms in the Karkinitsky Gulf near Crimea, – Crimean Wind Russia is placing radar stations, signal repeaters for drones, and reconnaissance equipment on gas production platforms. — MAKS 25 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) June 6, 2025 Though Ukraine said it carried out attacks designed to blunt a looming Russian attack, Russia was able to hit several regions last night. The Russian Defense Ministry (MoD) claimed the bombardment was retaliation for Operation Spiderweb. 'Last night, in response to the terrorist actions of the Kyiv regime, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out a massive strike with long-range air, sea, and ground-based high-precision weapons, as well as with strike UAVs against design bureaus, enterprises producing and repairing weapons and military hardware of Ukraine, attack drone assembly workshops, flight training centres, and AFU weapons and military hardware depots,' the MoD claimed. 'The aim of the strike has been achieved. All the assigned targets have been engaged.' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that Russia struck civilian targets and that at least three people died and dozens were injured in a barrage across the country. Later claims put the death toll at four. 'Russia doesn`t change its stripes – another massive strike on cities and ordinary life,' he stated on X. 'They targeted almost all of Ukraine – Volyn, Lviv, Ternopil, Kyiv, Sumy, Poltava, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv regions. Some of the missiles and drones were shot down. I thank our warriors for their defense. But unfortunately, not all were intercepted. In total, over 400 drones and more than 40 missiles – including ballistic missiles – were used in today's attack.' Russia doesn`t change its stripes – another massive strike on cities and ordinary life. They targeted almost all of Ukraine – Volyn, Lviv, Ternopil, Kyiv, Sumy, Poltava, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv regions. Some of the missiles and drones were shot down. I thank our… — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 6, 2025 In Kyiv, three members of the State Emergency Service in Ukraine were killed coming to the rescue of those injured during that attack, officials in Kyiv stated. Videos of the destruction across Ukraine emerged on social media. Russians could see where they were hitting live. There was a live broadcast on YouTube from different cities of Ukraine. — Clash Report (@clashreport) June 6, 2025 Lutsk, in western Ukraine, was one of those cities hit. The following video shows four Russian Kh-101 cruise missiles striking buildings there. BREAKING:Russia's launches one of its largest air attacks against Ukraine of this war.407 suicide drones, 38 cruise missiles and 6 ballistic missiles were fired against Ukrainian video shows 4 missiles striking the city of Lutsk in western Ukraine. — Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) June 6, 2025 Another video shows those missiles emitting flares or chaff before striking, a tactic to confuse air defenses. At least five people were injured in an attack using 15 drones and six missiles, according to Mayor Ihor Polishchuk. Longer footage showing Russian missile strikes in the city of Lutsk, western Ukraine, this Kh-101 air-launched cruise missiles can be seen releasing chaff/decoys/flares before hitting their targets. — Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) June 6, 2025 The Ukrainian Track and Field Team came under fire in Lutsk. The Ukrainian national track and field team came under fire in Lutsk: the Motor Hotel, where the athletes were staying, was hit, — Ukrainian Track and Field Federation. Fortunately, there are no victims or injuries among the athletes. — MAKS 25 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) June 6, 2025 Ternopil's military chief Vyacheslav Negoda said Friday's strike was the 'most massive air attack on our region to date,' BBC reported. The Mayor of Ternopil, Igor Polishchuk, said five people were wounded in the attack while homes, schools and a government facility had been damaged. The 'Penoboard' Insulation Material Factory in the Ternopil Oblast of Western Ukraine was targeted during last night's drone and missile attack by Russia, resulting in serious damage to the factory as well as other nearby manufacturing facilities in Ternopil. — OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 6, 2025 The city of Chernihiv was hit by Russian Geran-2 drones as well as cruise and ballistic missiles, according to Oleksandr Tolokonnikov, spokesman for the Kherson Regional Military Administration of Ukraine. 'A residential area came under fire: multi-story buildings, private homes, a kindergarten, a local business, infrastructure facilities, and civilians' vehicles were damaged,' he said. 'Due to the strikes on the energy infrastructure, around 40.000 consumers remain without electricity. As of now, four civilians have been reported injured. Three of them received assistance on site, while another man was hospitalized in moderate condition.' Though Russia lost several Tu-95s during the Operation Spiderweb, it still managed to use some in this latest onslaught. Russia fired 36 Kh-101 cruise missiles from Bears and Tu-160 Blackjack long-range supersonic bombers from the airspace of the Saratov region, over the Caspian Sea, according to the Ukrainian Air Force (UaAF). In addition, the UaAF said six Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles were launched from Kursk and Voronezh regions, one Kh-31P anti-radar missile was fired from a tactical aircraft over the Black Sea and two Iskander-K cruise missiles were launched from the Dzyankoy district of Crimea. The extent of Russia's response to Operation Spiderweb is still unknown, however, these attacks show that both sides seem to be locked into an escalation of cross-border bombardment. Contact the author: howard@
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kyiv's air defense increasingly under pressure amid missile shortage
As the air defense missile stocks run low and the future of U.S. military aid to Ukraine grows increasingly uncertain, Kyiv is under pressure to defend its sky. The concerns mount as Russia scales up its aerial attacks across Ukraine, combining ballistic missiles and drones to overwhelm air defenses. Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, are "definitely facing a shortage of (air defense) missiles," a source in the Air Force told the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian aviation expert Anatolii Khrapchynskyi said that Russia has "radically changed" its tactics by targeting central Ukraine with ballistic missiles — instead of cruise missiles — such as Iskanders and upgraded North Korean variants. "That's an entirely different level of threat," Khrapchynskyi told the Kyiv Independent. While Kyiv remains the most protected city in Ukraine with the most prestigious Western air defense systems, the U.S.'s future steps and the worldwide shortage of air defense missiles due to their cost may impact its ability to protect civilians all over Ukraine, including the capital. Among the most capable Western-provided air defense missiles manning Kyiv's sky is the U.S.-made Patriot, which the U.S. confirmed had been used to shoot down the first Kh-47 Kinzhal hypersonic missile in May 2023. The Patriot air defense systems have proved to be a game-changer for Ukraine, whose Air Force previously have had to rely on outdated Soviet-era versions to shoot down aerial targets. Ukraine currently has only eight Patriot systems, two of which are currently not in service, according to the New York Times, which also reported that an additional Patriot system is on its way to Ukraine from Israel as part of a previously arranged commitment. President Volodymyr Zelensky said in April that Ukraine is ready to purchase additional air defense systems to protect its sky better. Patriot systems are seen at a military training area of Air Defence Missile Group 21 in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany, on May 29, 2024. (Bernd Wüstneck / Picture Alliance via Getty Images) The equipment — and most importantly, the ammunition — are limited in number to effectively use the mobile surface-to-air system for countering ballistic and cruise missiles, forcing Ukraine to conserve them even when Kyiv is under heavy attack, according to military experts interviewed. Ukraine would ideally need at least two Patriot systems for every major city, such as Kyiv, Lviv, and Dnipro. Ukraine has to move its six operational Patriot systems, provided by Western allies over time, across the country to defend the sky from Russian missiles and drones, according to Ukrainian aviation expert Kostiantyn Kryvolap. Ukraine would ideally need at least two Patriot systems for every major city, such as Kyiv, Lviv, and Dnipro, to "more or less reliably" defend it using two radars to detect aerial threats, Kryvolap said. There are seven cities across the country with a population of over 500,000 people, excluding Russian-occupied territories. In a plea to Western allies to help defend civilians, Zelensky has repeatedly asked for more Patriots and ammunition for them. Details about the remaining missile stock remain unknown, as Kyiv has tightly guarded the information for operational security. The shortage of Patriot missiles persists worldwide, as production is complicated and expensive. Kryvolap said that the American manufacturer Lockheed Martin can only produce about 500 a year, which wouldn't be sufficient even if all the produced ammunition were allocated to Ukraine. The company was awarded a government contract to increase the production of PAC-3 interceptors to 650 missiles per year in 2027. Read also: 'Panic, screams, dead everywhere' — Sumy in shock after double-tap missile attack kills 35 Kryvolap stressed that at least two Patriot missiles are needed to intercept a ballistic missile with "a more or less high probability." Meanwhile, Russia constantly attempts to improve its ballistic missiles, posing additional challenges for Ukraine, according to the Air Force. "The enemy is still modernizing ballistic missiles," its spokesman, Yuriy Ihnat, said in April. Aviation expert Khrapchynskyi pointed out that the interceptor shortage had already become "critical" in 2024 when the delay in Western aid delivery coincided with Russia's deployment of a new combination tactic using Shahed-type drones, ballistic missiles, Kh-47 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, and Kh-101 and Kh-555 cruise missiles. Remains of a Russian Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile are displayed at an exhibition showing debris from missiles and drones used by Russia to attack Kyiv, Ukraine, on May 12, 2023. Fragments of various types of weapons are being studied at the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise. (Oleksii Samsonov / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images) "We're facing a shortage of interceptors, limited coverage, and no system can hold out for long without constant resupply," Khrapchynskyi told the Kyiv Independent, underscoring that Ukraine would need at least eight or nine Patriot batteries in total, including at least three just for Kyiv. "But even the best system is still just a platform. Without missiles, it's just blinking lights," he added. The sheer number of Russian attacks using ballistic missiles, which are "complex, fast, and often upgraded," have forced Ukraine into an increasingly tough situation, especially with the persisting risk that the U.S. could cut off its military aid to Kyiv again, according to the expert. Ukraine's air defense capability would likely be the first to suffer should the U.S. withdraw from its military aid again, which could happen "in a matter of weeks," according to John Hardie, deputy director of the Russia Program at the Washington-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Defending cities against Russian and North Korean ballistic missiles without the Patriot interceptors would be "really hard," especially now with a larger number getting through, Hardie said. The situation could get worse if Russia were to launch a prolonged and sustained missile campaign on Kyiv, launching 10 to 30 missiles a day for a few weeks with small intervals, especially from areas up north, such as Bryansk Oblast or Belarus, according to Polish military analyst Konrad Myzyka, director of the Poland-based Rochan military consultancy. Myzyka expects Kyiv's interception rate of ballistic missiles to decrease if Russia manages to exhaust Ukrainian air defenses. The decrease in interception rates is, in turn, an increase in civilian lives lost. Read also: Kyiv teenagers mourn their friend killed by Russian missile (PHOTOS) We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Guardian
19-04-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv sanctions three Chinese companies accused of helping Russia
Ukraine imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies on Friday, claiming they were involved in the production of advanced Iskander missiles. The sanctions list, which also includes Russian companies, names Beijing Aviation & Aerospace Xianghui Technology, Rui Jin Machinery and Zhongfu Shenying Carbon Fiber Xining, all registered in China. Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said on X: 'Today, we have expanded our Ukrainian sanctions against nearly a hundred more entities – natural and legal persons – most of whom are involved in the production of such missiles – Iskanders – like those that struck our Kharkiv. Many of these entities are Russian, but unfortunately, some are also from China.' On Thursday, Zelenskyy accused China of supplying Russia with artillery and gunpowder, which Beijing has denied. The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, said the Trump administration was ready to abandon its efforts to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia 'within days'. 'We're not going to continue with this endeavour for weeks and months on end. So we need to determine very quickly now, and I'm talking about a matter of days, whether or not this is doable in the next few weeks,' Rubio said in Paris after meeting European and Ukrainian leaders on Friday. Following Rubio's comments, Donald Trump said the US is ready to 'pass' on brokering a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine unless a settlement is reached 'very shortly'. The US president declined to give a 'specific number of days' for when the US would stop trying to negotiate a truce. 'But quickly. We want to get it done.' Asked if the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, was stalling, Trump replied: 'I hope not.' The Guardian has obtained the memorandum of intent signed by Ukraine and the US over a minerals deal. It envisages setting up a joint investment fund between the two countries and lays out a deadline of 26 April to finalise negotiations. The document recognises the 'significant financial and material support' Washington has given Kyiv since Russia's full-scale 2022 invasion. The US is prepared to recognise Russian control of the Ukrainian region of Crimea as part of a broader peace agreement between Moscow and Kyiv, Bloomberg News has reported, citing people familiar with the matter. According to Bloomberg, the people said a final decision on the matter hadn't yet been taken, and the White House and state department did not respond to a request for comment. A Russian missile attack on the north-eastern city of Kharkiv killed one man inside his home and wounded at least 112 others, including nine children, on Friday. Ukraine's foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, said Russia launched four missiles at Kharkiv, three of them ballistic and carrying cluster warheads. Zelenskyy added later that the Iskander missiles had been used in the attack. 'This is how Russia began this Good Friday – with ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, Shaheds,' he said on X. A Russian drone strike early on Friday hit a bakery in northern Ukraine where traditional Easter cakes were being prepared, killing one man, Ukrainian officials said. Images shared by Ukrainian emergency services – which said they were filmed at the scene of the strike in the city of Sumy – showed trays of Easter cakes covered in grey dust, and a smashed window nearby. The person killed was a local businessman who was at the bakery to collect his order when the drone struck at 5am, according to Sybiha. Russia and Ukraine will conduct a new prisoner swap on Saturday mediated by the United Arab Emirates, a source close to the negotiations told Reuters. Nearly 500 Russian and Ukrainian prisoners and 46 injured soldiers will be exchanged in the latest swap to be mediated by Abu Dhabi. The exchange will involve 246 prisoners from each side, the source said. Kyiv said on Friday it had received the bodies of hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers killed during battles with Russia, the second such repatriation in the space of three weeks. 'As a result of repatriation activities, the bodies of 909 fallen Ukrainian defenders were returned to Ukraine,' the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, a government agency, said in a statement on social media. A 19-year-old Russian activist has been sentenced to two years and eight months in prison after using 19th-century poetry and graffiti to protest against the conflict in Ukraine, according to a Reuters witness in the St Petersburg court on Friday. Darya Kozyreva was found guilty of repeatedly 'discrediting' the Russian army after she put up a poster with lines of Ukrainian verse on a public square and gave an interview to a Russian-language service of Radio Free Europe.
Japan Times
19-04-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Ukraine bans China's firms for helping Russia make missiles
Ukraine imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies on Friday claiming they were involved in production of advanced Iskander missiles, a day after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alleged that China had been supplying weapons to Russia. China's Foreign Ministry earlier on Friday dismissed Zelenskyy's accusation as groundless. While maintaining close economic ties with Russia during Moscow's three-year war in Ukraine, China has sought to project an image of neutrality and denies any involvement in the war. Zelenskyy's administration on Friday published an updated list of sanctioned entities. The list, which also includes Russian companies, named Beijing Aviation And Aerospace Xianghui Technology, Rui Jin Machinery and Zhongfu Shenying Carbon Fiber Xining, all described as registered in China. Zelenskyy said that the Chinese companies hit with sanctions were involved in the production of Russian Iskander missiles. Russia widely uses the nuclear-capable short-range ballistic missile system in the conflict. On Friday, Ukraine said Iskander missiles had struck Kharkiv, a city in northern Ukraine, killing one and injuring more than 100 people. "Today, we have expanded our Ukrainian sanctions against nearly a hundred more entities — natural and legal persons — most of whom are involved in the production of such missiles — Iskanders — like those that struck our Kharkiv," Zelenskyy said in a statement on X. "Many of these entities are Russian, but unfortunately, some are also from China," he said. Sanctions ban companies from doing business in Ukraine and freeze their assets there. Ukraine exported $8 billion of goods to China in 2021, mostly raw materials and agricultural products, while it imported from China just under $11 billion, mainly in manufactured goods, according to the Ukrainian government. On Thursday, Zelenskyy told reporters in Kyiv his government had evidence that Chinese firms were supplying what he described as artillery and gunpowder to Russia, and that Chinese entities are making some weapons on Russian soil. He did not offer any evidence for the assertion. A week earlier, Zelenskyy had said Chinese nationals were fighting on Russia's side in the war with Ukraine, including two who had been taken prisoner. A Chinese diplomat was summoned to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry to provide an explanation. Ukrainian and U.S. officials later said the men had signed up on their own initiative for money.
South China Morning Post
18-04-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Ukraine bans Chinese firms accused of helping Russia make missiles
Ukraine imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies on Friday claiming they were involved in production of advanced Iskander missiles, a day after President Volodymyr Zelensky alleged that China had been supplying weapons to Russia. Advertisement China's foreign ministry earlier on Friday dismissed Zelensky's accusation as groundless. While maintaining close economic ties with Russia during Moscow's three-year war in Ukraine, China has sought to project an image of neutrality and denies any involvement in the war. Zelensky's administration on Friday published an updated list of sanctioned entities. The list, which also includes Russian companies, named Beijing Aviation And Aerospace Xianghui Technology, Rui Jin Machinery and Zhongfu Shenying Carbon Fiber Xining, all described as registered in China. Zelensky said that the Chinese companies hit with sanctions were involved in the production of Russian Iskander missiles. Russia widely uses the nuclear-capable short-range ballistic missile system in the conflict. On Friday, Ukraine said Iskander missiles had struck Kharkiv, a city in northern Ukraine, killing one and injuring more than 100 people. Advertisement 'Today, we have expanded our Ukrainian sanctions against nearly a hundred more entities – natural and legal persons – most of whom are involved in the production of such missiles – Iskanders – like those that struck our Kharkiv,' Zelensky said in a statement on social media.
