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BREAKING: China provides Russia with weapons, Zelensky says

Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine's president, at a meeting on the Ukraine Compact during the NATO Summit in Washington, D.C., U.S., on July 11, 2024. (Chris Kleponis/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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Editor's note: This story is being updated.

China is supplying weapons to Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on April 17, days after Ukrainian soldiers captured Chinese nationals fighting for Russia's army.

"Today, we have general information from the Security Service (of Ukraine), from intelligence about gunpowder, artillery," Zelensky said during a briefing in Kyiv.

"I think we will be able to say in detail next week that we believe that Chinese representatives are engaged in the production of some weapons on the territory of Russia," he added.

‘Everything we heard from Russians was a lie’ — Chinese fighters captured by Ukraine speak out

The two Chinese nationals captured when fighting for Russia claimed they weren’t sent to the war by the Chinese government, and described their hardships in the Russian ranks. One of the captives, Wang Guangjun, said he was targeted by Russian “chemical weapons” right after he was taken captive by

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Denisova

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7:02 PM

BREAKING: China provides Russia with weapons, Zelensky says.

"Today we have general information from the Security Service (of Ukraine), from intelligence about gunpowder, artillery," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

6:11 PM

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5:30 PM

Ukrainian forces liberate 16 square kilometers near Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, Syrskyi says.

The recently recaptured territory by Ukrainian troops includes areas near the settlements of Udachne, Kotlyne, and Shevchenko, according to Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi.

4:44 PM

Russia may attack Ukraine's energy grid ahead of Easter, Zelensky says.

"We know what Russia is preparing for. Now, ahead of Easter, and after it, new Russian attacks are possible," President Volodymyr Zelensky said. "We will continue to defend our country, our energy sector."

4:06 PM

Russian ruble becomes top-performing currency amid Trump trade war, peace hopes.

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3:54 PM

Germany bars Russian, Belarusian envoys from WWII anniversary session.

The decision reflects growing dissatisfaction in Berlin with the way Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to manipulate the legacy of the war to justify Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

3:37 PM

Well-known journalist, media producer hospitalized after stabbing in Kyiv.

"Yurii Makarov is currently hospitalized in a serious condition. But danger is no threat to his life," Suspilne said in a statement, adding that the police have launched a criminal investigation.

3:21 PM

Finland investigating attempt to smuggle sensitive nuclear documents to Russia.

"The preliminary investigation has focused on a significant number of archive documents that were attempted to be taken to Russia," the Finnish Customs Economic Crime Investigation Unit said in a statement.

2:53 PM

Czechia independent of Russian oil for first time in history.

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9:31 AM  (Updated:  April 17, 2025 2:27 pm)

Top Ukrainian officials arrive in Paris for talks with European, US officials.

Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov arrived in Paris on April 17 to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine and meet visiting U.S. officials.

12:05 PM  (Updated:  April 17, 2025 1:40 pm)

Ukrainian drones attack Russian brigade linked to Sumy strike for second day in row, sources say.

Shuya's residents reported explosions in the early morning hours of April 17, with local authorities issuing a drone alert. Footage shared online shows explosions and a fire in the area.

1:14 PM

Russian shelling of Nikopol kills 2, injures 5.

The attack caused a fire to break out in the city. According to Governor Serhii Lysak, a shop, a cafe, several houses, outbuildings, cars, and a bus stop were damaged.

12:58 PM

Kremlin to reportedly use seized US food company to supply Russian military.

Glavproduct, a canned food producer originally founded by Los Angeles-based businessman Leonid Smirnov, is the only U.S. company to fall under Russian state control since the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.

10:41 AM  (Updated:  April 17, 2025 12:45 pm)

Klitschko's deputy charged over illegal border crossings scheme.

Multiple Ukrainian outlets have reported that the official in question is Volodymyr Prokopiv.

12:13 PM

French court enforces $5 billion Crimea damages award against Russia in Naftogaz case.

The decision allows Naftogaz to begin legal recovery efforts in France, including seizing Russian state assets to satisfy the award.

11:25 AM

5 killed, 68 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day.

Russia launched 75 drones, including Shahed-type drones, two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, and three S-300/400 anti-aircraft guided missiles, according to Ukraine's Air Force.

6:52 AM  (Updated:  April 17, 2025 11:17 am)

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10:54 AM

Trump's DC attorney pick made over 150 appearances on Kremlin propaganda outlets.

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9:57 AM

Ukraine seeks US support in regaining control of Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, joint energy projects.

"We have a common interest with the United States to bring Zaporizhzhia NPP under Ukrainian control and start the operation of this nuclear power plant," Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said.

9:08 AM

Putin praises Musk as visionary, likens him to Soviet-era space icon Korolov.

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8:52 AM

EU fails to agree on sanctions on Russian LNG, Reuters reports.

The EU has shelved the idea of banning Russian liquified natural gas (LNG) imports due to opposition from some members and uncertainty about alternative supplies, Reuters reported on April 16, citing undisclosed official sources.

8:24 AM

UK to support Germany sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine, Telegraph reports.

The United Kingdom would support a potential German decision to send Taurus missiles to Ukraine, the Telegraph reported on April 16, citing an undisclosed British foreign policy official.

8:17 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 937,440 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,230 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

12:25 AM  (Updated:  April 17, 2025 7:45 am)

3 killed, 30 injured in Russian drone attack on Dnipro.

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