Involving Chinese Citizens in This War Is Definitely Fueling a Larger Problem, and This Must Be Responded to in the Most Principled Way – Address by the President

9 April 2025 – 20:28

Dear Ukrainians!

The key developments of the day. A meeting of the Military Cabinet was held: with thorough reports from Syrskyi, Hnatov, and Drapatyi. All directions, all parts of the frontline were covered. Our positions, necessary supplies, and staffing. The maximum effort for stabilizing the situation, for our active actions and our active diplomacy. Today I have also discussed with the Minister of Defense of Ukraine our preparations for the upcoming Ramstein meeting, which is scheduled for Friday. Our top priority is air defense – above all, missile defense against ballistic threats. Ukraine needs at the very least ten systems that are sufficiently effective specifically against Russian ballistic missiles, and this is where Patriots are second to none. We have repeatedly raised this issue with the American side and with everyone in Europe who is in a position to help. We are counting on decisions. Just today, there were several air raid alerts across the country due to ballistic missile threats. In some parts of our country, people are virtually living under the constant threat of such attacks. And right now, the world lacks not the systems themselves – but only the political decisions needed to protect lives. The systems do exist. There are even enough Patriots in the world to guarantee protection from Russian terror once and for all. But this requires a political decision – a decision by our partners. The second priority at Ramstein is ensuring continued support throughout this year. Stability and predictability of aid are the things that disappoint the aggressor and actually incite toward diplomacy. We need to eliminate Putin’s temptation — his hope that support for Ukraine will vanish. It won’t. The support will continue. We need that signal, and we need a steady supply of defense assistance.

Also today, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported on his visit to Kryvyi Rih – the site of a brutal strike against children, civilians, and an ordinary city street. Representatives of 32 states – ambassadors and heads of missions – participated in the visit. I thank each country, and every diplomat, for this expression of support. It is vital that the world sees what is truly happening.

And one more thing. The Security Service of Ukraine is conducting initial procedural actions with captured Chinese nationals. They are now in Kyiv. Communicating with investigators. Providing information on how they ended up on the frontline, how they became involved in this international crime, this Russia’s war against Ukraine. We also have information about other citizens of the People’s Republic of China serving in the Russian army – with names, surnames, and details of the specific ways in which such soldiers became part of the Russian occupation contingent. We will use diplomatic channels to convey the necessary information to the Chinese side and, of course, to everyone in the world who has heard Beijing say that this war must not be further escalated or expanded. Involving Chinese citizens in this war is definitely fueling a larger problem. And this must be responded to in the most principled way. Reinforcing the occupation contingent while speaking of peace are mutually exclusive things. We also expect our partners to be principled – to be principled in their support of Ukraine. I thank everyone who is truly doing everything to end this war justly with lasting peace. I thank our warriors.

Glory to Ukraine!

Georgia:

Despite the rain, a protest rally has been going on all day in Batumi.

#GeorgiaProtests
Day 133

[image or embed]

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 2:03 PM

“The enemy of his own nation will not go unpunished!”

“Georgia rise up, revolt!”

This was the culminating chant of today, a good day, a step closer to victory, albeit under a pouring rain. #GeorgiaProtests

[image or embed]

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 1:24 PM

The protest continues on Rustaveli Avenue.

Photo: Nino Kikvadze/Publika

[image or embed]

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 2:04 PM

A true Georgian. Protesting the Russian regime under the rain with an umbrella, a mask on to hide from the Chinese surveillance cameras, and a book. #GeorgiaProtests

[image or embed]

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 9:31 AM

1/ On the night of April 8–9, 2025, parents of regime prisoners spent the night on Rustaveli Ave, aiming to prevent representatives of GD from decorating the memorial with flowers. Irakli Kobakhidze and other members of GD went to the Cathedral instead of Rustaveli.

[image or embed]

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 9:17 AM

2/ Meanwhile, representatives of various embassies were decorating the memorial with flowers. The protest rally began on April 8 at 10:00 PM and is still ongoing.

[image or embed]

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 9:17 AM

The Ambassador of Sweden Anna Lyberg and the Ambassador of Latvia Edite Medne have arrived to pay their respects to the victims of the April 9 massacre.
We appreciate your unwavering support very much, thank you!

[image or embed]

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 8:53 AM

Flowers were laid at the April 9 Memorial, as representatives of the Polish Embassy in Georgia honored the victims of the brutal Russian crackdown in 1989.

[image or embed]

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 1:43 AM

The April 9 Memorial was decorated with flowers by the US Ambassador to Georgia, Robin Dunnigan.

[image or embed]

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 1:40 AM

– How legitimate are you?

– Well, thousands of my special forces weren’t enough to light up my Christmas tree, and I cannot lay flowers at a memorial on a major national day. Obviously, I’m the most legitimate government on Earth, you warmonger!

#GeorgiaProtests

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 11:35 AM

Regime propagandists and trolls and bots are furious they weren’t allowed to approach the April 9 memorial today.
They can’t believe “500 homeland-less radicals” have taken over “1.2 million” voters, and warn of their limited patience.

Please, lose patience – cry harder!🍿

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 11:42 AM

The regime representatives weren’t allowed to “pay their respects” to the April 9 martyrs in Batumi either, so their social media apparently posted pictures from the last year… #GeorgiaProtests

[image or embed]

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 3:29 PM

There are also provocateurs on Rustaveli, known for their aggression toward political prisoners and other citizens. Minor incidents occur. Some of them are members of the youth wing of Georgian Dream.

#GeorgiaProtests

[image or embed]

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 2:00 AM

On this day in 1989, Russian troops massacred 21 pro-democracy protesters in Tbilisi.
Seventeen were young women—killed with poison gas and blunt force, while 4000 others were injured.

Two years later, Georgia broke free from Moscow’s grip. But Russia never stopped.

— SPRAVDI – Stratcom Centre (@stratcomcentre.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 6:14 AM

They returned with war in 1992. Again in 2008. Then came a quieter invasion—of Georgia’s government itself. That’s the battle Georgians are fighting today.

Like Ukrainians, the people of Georgia know exactly what Russia is.

[image or embed]

— SPRAVDI – Stratcom Centre (@stratcomcentre.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 6:14 AM

1/ On April 9, 1989, Russia brutally crushed a protest rally demanding Georgia’s independence, using shovels and poison gas. Today, Irakli Kobakhidze did not mention Russia in his statement commemorating April 9.

[image or embed]

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 2:33 AM

2/ ‘April 9 is the day when a foreign power committed violence against our fellow citizens. Today, 36 years after the April 9 tragedy, a foreign power is still committing violence on Rustaveli Avenue,’ Irakli Kobakhidze wrote.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 2:33 AM

Until the end!” people chant, and someone made a graffiti of the famous April 9, 1989 slogan:

“Not a single step back, we’ve made a vow!”

Doesn’t seem like the Russian regime will be able to approach & desecrate the April 9 memorial after all. But let’s see. #GeorgiaProtests

[image or embed]

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 4:24 AM

Japan:

missed this one last night: “Japan expressed interest Tuesday in participating in the NATO command for its Ukrainian mission based in Germany in what would be a major boost in ties with the largely European alliance.”

[image or embed]

— Thomas Wiegold (@wiegold.de) April 9, 2025 at 3:17 PM

From The AP:

TOKYO (AP) — Japan expressed interest Tuesday in participating in the NATO command for its Ukrainian mission based in Germany in what would be a major boost in ties with the largely European alliance.

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani announced his country’s interest during talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Tokyo. After providing the war-torn country with defense equipment and support, Japan now wants to join NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine, or NSATU, headquartered at a U.S. base in the German town of Wiesbaden.

Details of the mission, including the possibility of sending any Japan Self Defense Force members to Wiesbaden, were still to be discussed. But any Japanese cooperation was not expected to involve combat, in line with what has been Tokyo’s post-World War II tradition of limiting its military’s role.

Nakatani said Japan wants to further deepen security cooperation with NATO and that participation in the NSATU mission would help Tokyo learn lessons from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Both Japan and NATO face many challenges and our security environment has become increasingly more severe,” Nakatani said.

Japan has said that Russia’s war on Ukraine underscores that security risks in Europe and Asia are inseparable, and Tokyo has sought closer ties with NATO while also joining the United States in expanding defense ties with other friendly nations in the Indo-Pacific.

Rutte told Nakatani that China, North Korea and Russia are stepping up their military exercises and their cooperation, “undermining global security and that means what happens in Euro-Atlantic matters in the Indo-Pacific and vice versa.”

Japan considers China a threat in the region and has in recent years accelerated its military buildup, including preparing to acquire strike-back capability with long-range cruise missiles.

The NATO chief also raised concern about China’s arms buildup and military drills near Taiwan and called on the organization’s members and friendly nations to work together to keep free and open sea lanes in the region.

“China is supporting Russia’s efforts. China is building up its armed forces, including its navy, at a rapid pace,” Rutte told reporters earlier Tuesday after he briefly boarded Japan’s advanced multi-functional frigate Mogami docked in the Japanese naval port of Yokosuka. “We cannot be naive, and we really have to work together, assess what is happening.”

Rutte said NATO is worried about China’s military exercises near Taiwan and “we follow them very closely.”

More at the link.

Back to Ukraine.

My hero today: 13-year-old Ukrainian Yevhen Melnyk refused handshake and joint photo with Russian in Spain. That’s strength

[image or embed]

— Maria Avdeeva (@mariainkharkiv.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM

“The Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed a strategic Russian Tu-22M3 bomber worth over $100 million.” – Syrskyi.
Ukrainian drone struck the aircraft during landing.

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 5:01 AM

What in heaven’s name am I looking at??

www.forbes.com/sites/davidh…

[image or embed]

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 7:02 PM

From Forbes:

Ukraine is fielding carrier drones or motherships to transport FPVs to the target area before launching them. Russian forces reported these as far back as November 2023, and last month Russian news agency TASS stated that Ukraine was carrying out FPV attacks 25 miles or more behind the lines in seven regions, suggesting that use is becoming widespread.

The commander of the Typhoon drone unit of the National Guard of Ukraine, who goes by the callsign ‘Michael’, told me that carrier operations still very much under development.

“It’s a combination of using existing technologies and continuously refining them based on operational feedback,” says Michael. “It’s about optimizing what we already have while layering in new enhancements where needed.”

Flying Aircraft Carriers

There are parallels with the learning curve on traditional floating aircraft carriers. The Chinese Navy officially commissioned its first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, in 2012. It took four years of trials and training — and a number of accidents – before the was declared combat ready. The Chinese already had a navy and an air force, but flying aircraft from ships required a whole new skill set for both. New military operations take practice to perfect, and learning under field conditions is harder.

While a single FPV strike may be simple, a carrier with one or more FPVs is more complex and involved more people and hardware. The carrier remains in the area to act as a flying radio relay for the FPV and Michael says they would not fly a reusable carrier drone against a low value target.

“If something goes wrong, we risk losing not just the FPV, but the entire system,” says Michael

Ukraine has displayed drone carriers include both fixed wing and multi-rotor types, carrying one, two, four or six FPVs. More might look better, but it brings complications.

“If we’re using analog video transmission, for example, each drone must operate on a different frequency to avoid signal interference,” says Michael, “Managing multiple video feeds, control links, and power systems adds significant complexity, especially under field conditions. It requires precise coordination and a reliable communication infrastructure to ensure everything works smoothly in practice.”

So the carrier with a single drone supplied to Birds of Magyar may be preferable to something bigger.

The choice between fixed wing or rotary carrier also involves tradeoffs.

“When it comes to rotary-wing carrier drones, the main disadvantage is their relatively low operational altitude — typically around 300–400 meters,” says Michael. “At this height, they are vulnerable to a wide range of threats including small arms fire, other drones, and electronic warfare such as jamming.”

Russia routinely flies interceptor drones against Ukrainian multicopter Baba Yaga night bombers, and a rotary drone carrier would be a prime target.

“Fixed-wing carrier drones, on the other hand, operate at much higher altitudes,” says Michael. This avoid some threats, only to run into others. “At these altitudes, they become more visible to enemy radar and are more likely to be targeted by anti-aircraft systems.”

Either way, carrier missions must be carefully planned around Russian air defenses.

“In many combat zones, the airspace is protected by a mix of electronic warfare tools and radar systems,” says Michael. “Successful use of such systems requires detailed intelligence to identify gaps in enemy air defense coverage.”

More at the link.

First Look: Ukraine’s New Anti-Shahed Interceptor Drone.

This drone has already proven effective, having destroyed 20 Shahed as well as 10 reconnaissance drones in the past two months. It can reach speeds of up to 200 km/h and fly at altitudes of up to 5 km. dev.ua/news/v-ukrai…

[image or embed]

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 5:07 AM

From Dev.UA:

Representatives of defense companies from Ukraine and Belgium met in Ukraine recently to discuss the development, localization, and joint production of a number of Ukrainian military products. Among the already well-known Ukrainian inventions that have already made a splash, a new drone that intercepts enemy “shaheeds” was spotted for the first time.

Little is known about the drone-interceptor, but the developers report that over the past two months it has destroyed 20 Shahed drones. According to the developers, this drone is currently the most successful Shahed interceptor in service with the Ukrainian Defense Forces, reports the Military portal.

It is reported that it can also hit smaller targets, such as reconnaissance drones. The interceptor drone can fly at a maximum altitude of 5 km and accelerate to a speed of 200 km/h, and the maximum flight altitude is 5 km.

This is not the first solution in the fight against Iranian-Russian drones from Ukrainian developers. Previously, wereported on another “shaheed” killer from Ukrainian Wild Hornets called Sting, as well as on the aerostat system from Aero Bavovna.

China’s foreign ministry said Ukraine’s claims that its citizens were fighting for Russia had “no basis in facts.”

But Zelensky insisted Chinese leadership was aware and had done nothing to stop it. “China’s top leaders are aware. They know.”

www.ft.com/content/bfa0…

[image or embed]

— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) April 9, 2025 at 2:21 PM

From The Financial Times:

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Beijing of doing nothing to stop Russia enlisting Chinese nationals to fight in Ukraine, saying 155 such recruits have already been deployed to the battlefield and many more may soon follow.

The Ukrainian president’s comments raise questions about Beijing’s claims of neutrality in the conflict and could raise tensions between China and western governments that have warned against providing support to Russia.

Speaking to journalists in the presidential office on Wednesday, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian intelligence had identified 155 Chinese nationals who had signed contracts with Russia’s armed forces to fight in Ukraine.

The president said he believed “the real number is much higher”.

Beijing’s foreign ministry said earlier on Wednesday that China always asked its nationals to “avoid any form of involvement in armed conflict” and that Ukrainian claims that many of them were fighting alongside Russian forces had “no basis in facts”.

But Zelenskyy insisted the Chinese leadership was aware of Russia’s recruitment of its citizens and had done nothing to stop it. “China’s top leaders are aware,” he said. “They know.”

Leafing through Russian military documents that he said were obtained by Ukrainian intelligence, the president said Chinese recruits were offered large salaries and given migration documents and payment cards. They underwent four days of medical examinations and received up to two months of military training, he added.

The Chinese troops range in age from 19 to 56 years old, according to the documents, which Zelenskyy shared with the Financial Times and other media outlets. The documents list 168 names, including some recruits not yet deployed.

They are listed as being riflemen, snipers, gunners and reconnaissance soldiers and hold ranks including private, junior sergeant and commander. Four are listed as attached to drone units, suggesting they have received training for modern warfare.

Zelenskyy also provided further details about two Chinese fighters captured this week by Ukrainian forces in the eastern Donetsk region, where Russian troops have intensified their offensive in recent weeks.

The men, aged 31 and 33, were in the custody of the state security service in Kyiv, the president said. They were the first Chinese citizens to be taken captive during the war.

Zelenskyy said the Russian military was advertising to men in China through social media, particularly the Chinese-owned app TikTok.

He said Kyiv had provided the US with information about the Chinese fighters and hoped President Donald Trump would “respond” to the development.

More at the link.

Ukrainian innovation. 💪🏽 🇺🇦
#UkraineNews

[image or embed]

— Baba Yaga Fèlla (@babayagafella.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 6:30 PM

All I’m saying is that my birthday is coming up and I have room in my garage.

Kryvyi Rih:

Diplomats from 32 countries visited the site of a Russian missile strike in Kryvyi Rih at the invitation of Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha.

The Russian attack on 4 April killed 20 people, including nine children.

[image or embed]

— Kyiv Post (@kyivpost.com) April 9, 2025 at 10:21 AM

Sumy & Kharkiv Oblasts:

Russia has effectively launched an offensive on the Sumy and Kharkiv regions.

This was stated by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi. According to him, over the past week, the Russians have almost doubled their offensives on all major directions of the front.

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 12:39 PM

From The Kyiv Independent:

Russia’s new spring offensive against northeastern Ukraine “has actually already begun,” Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said in an interview with the LB.UA outlet published on April 9.

Syrskyi‘s comments come after President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Moscow is amassing forces for a fresh offensive against the Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts this spring.

“I can say that the president is absolutely right, and this offensive has effectively already begun,” Syrskyi said.

For nearly a week, Russian offensive operations have almost doubled in all main sectors, the commander-in-chief noted.

Oleshky, Russian occupied Kherson Oblast:

Recent air strike on the Russian underground bunker on the Kherson front. Preliminary 20-30 Russians were eliminated. (46.5724839, 32.7530088)

[image or embed]

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 3:50 AM

The General Staff showcased a strike by Ukrainian aviation on the command post of the 81st Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment of the Russian Armed Forces at a former air defense base in Oleshky.

Losses are currently being clarified, with 20-30 occupiers eliminated.

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 5:51 AM

Pokrovsk:

People are still staying in Pokrovsk, despite the ongoing shelling. Russian attacks are catching civilians right in their own yards.
t.me/c/1377735387…

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 1:58 PM

Southern Donetsk Oblast:

Fighters of the “Vuhledar” tactical group on the Southern Donetsk front repelled a massive enemy assault near the occupied settlement of Yasynove.
Russians lost two tanks, two armored vehicles, four quad bikes, four motorcycles, and around 50 troops.
t.me/c/1377735387…

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 11:27 AM

Belgorod Oblast, Russia:

The 225th Separate Assault Regiment is successfully breaking through Russian “dragon’s teeth” in the Belgorod region with its military equipment.

[image or embed]

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 10:13 AM

Mozdok, North Ossetia, Russia:

Ukrainian drones attack Russian military base in Mozdok #Ukraine

[image or embed]

— AmplifyUkraine 🔱🇺🇦 (@amplifyukraine.eu) April 9, 2025 at 3:43 PM

From UAWire:

Ukrainian drones targeted the Russian military airfield located in Mozdok, North Ossetia, as reported by the Telegram channel Astra. The governor of North Ossetia, Sergey Menyaylo, a long-standing appointee of Vladimir Putin, announced on his Telegram account that an alert was issued at 4:14 AM regarding the drone threat. Shortly thereafter, he assured residents that “15 drones” had allegedly been shot down in Mozdok.

However, footage circulating online suggests that the Russian air defense’s performance was less than flawless. Journalists have geolocated an image showing smoke billowing after the attack near the district Palace of Culture, approximately six kilometers from the airbase. It appears the strike was indeed aimed at the airfield, with the damage near the cultural center possibly resulting from Russian forces unsuccessfully attempting to down or manage the drones using electronic warfare systems. The extent of the impact on the airfield itself is yet to be confirmed.

This incident follows a recent, significant blow dealt by the Armed Forces of Ukraine on ‘Fiber Systems’ plant in Saransk.

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

Here is some adjacent material as I’m saving the new video for tomorrow.

🐶 The two of us sing a lullaby so we can have only good dreams 💙🥰

[image or embed]

— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) April 9, 2025 at 4:07 PM

Open thread!