Ukraine-Russia war: UK has no evidence of Beijing links to captured troops as Kyiv confronts China
North Korea has already sent troops to help Russian forces – now Zelensky is demanding an explanation from Beijing
UK defence intelligence officials have no evidence Chinese soldiers captured fighting for Putin have links to the Chinese government, it is understood.
Volodymyr Zelensky has alleged that Chinese soldiers have joined Russia’s war effort, two of whom have been taken prisoner by Ukrainian forces.
Kyiv’s forces engaged in battle with six Chinese troops in Donetsk, the Ukrainian president said, adding that Ukraine believes there are “many more Chinese citizens in the occupier's units than just these two”.
Kyiv demanded an explanation from Beijing, 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”.
But it is understood that UK officials have so far found nothing that links the captured troops to the Chinese government.
It comes months after North Korea first sent troops to assist Vladimir Putin’s war effort in Russia’s Kursk region, where Moscow’s forces have reclaimed large swathes of land from Ukraine.
Russian officials and state media claimed on Tuesday to be close to regaining full control of Kursk after purportedly pushing Ukraine from one of its few remaining footholds in the settlement of Guyevo – although Moscow has frequently made such assertions prematurely.
As Ukraine withdraws from Kursk, Mr Zelensky confirmed for the first time that Ukrainian troops were now operating in Russia’s neighbouring Belgorod region.
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Kyiv hits back at Ukrainian-born US lawmaker who called for Zelensky to resign
Kyiv has responded to a claim by a Ukrainian-born US lawmaker who said Volodymyr Zelensky should resign and called for Ukraine to cede territory to Russia.
"If they were winning the war, that would be very different," Republican congresswoman Victoria Spartz said in an interview with the Telegraph as she said the people of Ukraine should demand Mr Zelensky resign.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry hit back by saying: "Unlike Victoria, all of our land has always been and will always remain Ukrainian.”
Ruslan Stefanchuk, speaker of the Verkhovna Rada - the Ukrainian parliament - accused Ms Spartz of echoing the narrative of the Putin regime.
"One, born in Kyiv, became a representative of Putin. Another, from Chernihiv Oblast, discusses the 'expediency' of giving up Ukrainian territories, calling the Ukrainian people a faceless 'they,'" Mr Stefanchuk said.
Kremlin says there are no expected nuclear arms negotiations with US
The Kremlin said it is hard to imagine negotiating a new nuclear arms reduction treaty with the US, as mutual trust between Moscow and Washington has not yet been fully restored.
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, was answering a question about the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, or New START - which runs out in February 2026.
The treaty caps the number of strategic nuclear warheads that the US and Russia can deploy - and the land- and submarine-based missiles and bombers to deliver them.
Mapped: Russia pushes back against Ukraine's incursion into Belgorod
Moscow accuses Ukraine of attacking energy facilities twice in 24 hours
The Russian defence ministry said on Tuesday that Ukraine had attacked Russian energy facilities twice in the past 24 hours, despite a moratorium on strikes on energy facilities.
Both sides have accused the other of breaching the moratorium since agreeing with US president Donald Trump to halt such strikes - and have denied being at fault.
The Independent was unable to verify the reports of the strikes.
Moscow supports Iran-US talks over nuclear programme, Kremlin says
Moscow supports talks between Iran and the US over Tehran’s nuclear programme and believes it offers a chance of alleviating tensions between the countries, the Kremlin said today.
Speaking to reporters over a call, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Russia’s support for a diplomatic settlement.
"We know that certain contacts, direct and indirect, are planned in Oman. And, of course, this can only be welcomed, because it may lead to a de-escalation of tensions around Iran,” Mr Peskov said.
Iranian state media reported on Tuesday that talks between the US and Iran would take place in Oman on April 12.
The format of the talks remains unclear.
Washington considers withdrawing up to 10,000 troops from Europe - report
Washington is considering withdrawing up to 10,000 troops from eastern Europe, NBC News cited six US and European officials briefed on the discussions as saying.
In 2022, after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the US deployed 20,000 troops to bolster Nato’s eastern border with Russia. Troops are stationed in Poland, Romania and the Baltic States.
It would be the latest move in the White House push for Europe to be more self-reliant for its own security.
The numbers which will be withdrawn are not yet confirmed, NBC reported, but the US could remove as many as half its additional troops sent after the invasion.
Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte said European allies would be in close coordination with Washington regarding any withdrawal.
Zelensky honours Belgian defenders
The Ukrainian president has commemorated Belgians who have helped defend his country, alongside Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever.
“Today, together with the Prime Minister of Belgium, @Bart_DeWever, we commemorated our defenders—the warriors thanks to whom Ukraine is alive, free, and continues to fight,” Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X.
“We remember the feat of every man and woman who defended Ukraine at the cost of their own lives. Eternal honor and gratitude to the heroes.”
Russia claims it is pushing Ukraine out of Kursk
The Kremlin claims it is continuing to take back territory gained by Ukraine in Russia’s Kursk region.
"The armed forces of the Russian Federation continue to crush the Ukrainian army formations on the territory of Kursk region," Russia’s Defence Ministry said in a statement.
The high-quality DeepState map of the conflict shows Ukraine currently retains about 58 square km of territory around the Kursk settlement of Guyevo.
It’s a far cry from the 1,300 square km Ukraine had gained in Kursk at the peak of its incursion, and Russia has been trying since August last year to eject Ukraine from the region.
Earlier today Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian troops have also been active in the Belgorod region.
Russian commander Apti Alaudinov was quoted by Russian state news as saying on Friday that the situation in Belgorod was “under control”.
We will know in weeks if Putin is serious about peace, US says
US secretary of state Marco Rubio has said the US will know within weeks whether Vladimir Putin is serious about peace.
Speaking at the end of a two-day meeting of Nato foreign ministers, Mr Rubio said: "We will know soon enough, in a matter of weeks, not months, whether Russia is serious about peace or not. I hope they are.
"If this is dragging things out, President Trump's not going to fall into the trap of endless negotiations about negotiations.”
Washington’s Nato allies have accused Russia of stalling ceasefire effots, and Donald Trump has reportedly become wary of Mr Putin’s commitment to peace in Ukraine.
Breaking: Zelensky says Chinese soldiers fighting for Russia in Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelensky has alleged that Chinese soldiers were caught after joining Russia’s war effort in eastern Ukraine.
Kyiv’s forces fought six Chinese soldiers in Ukraine, taking two captive, the Ukrainian president said, adding that he expects a reaction from Washington.
He has ordered officials to obtain an official explanation from China regarding its soldiers fighting in Ukraine.
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