President Zelensky Says Chinese Citizens Work At Russian Drone Production Sites

President Zelensky . (Twitter/@ZelenskyyUa)

JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday Chinese nationals were working at a drone production site in Russia, saying Moscow may have "stealed" aircraft technology from China.

That was conveyed by President Zelensky at a press conference in Kyiv, days after he said China was supplying weapons and powder to Russia, it was the first time accusing Beijing of providing direct military assistance to Moscow, something China has strongly denied.

President Zelensky told reporters on Tuesday he had instructed officials to send information to the Chinese government through official channels regarding its findings.

" Separately, I asked the Ukrainian Security Service to transfer broader information to the Chinese side regarding Chinese nationals working in unmanned aircraft factories," he said.

"We believe Russia may steal - make agreements with citizens of this country (China) outside the agreement with Chinese leaders - stealing this technology," he continued.

By stating Russia may have acquired drone technology from China without Beijing's knowledge, President Zelensky appears to have softened his tone towards China, which considers himself neutral in the war.

A series of Ukrainian accusations aimed at China, the world's second-largest economy, in recent days in particular, have come as a sensitive time for Kyiv in US-led diplomatic efforts to end the war.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said it had summoned Chinese Ambassador Ma Shengkun, expressing Ukraine's "serious concern" over China's involvement in the Russian war in Ukraine.

Earlier, President Zelensky earlier this month said Russia recruited Chinese nationals through social media to fight in its armed forces and that Beijing officials knew about it.

He added that Kyiv was trying to assess whether the recruits received instructions from Beijing.

A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Ukraine expressed "serious concerns about the fact of Chinese citizen participation in the military action against Ukraine on the aggressor side, as well as the involvement of Chinese companies in the manufacture of military goods in Russia."

It said Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhen Perebyinis "asked the Chinese side to take action to stop support for Russia in its aggression against Ukraine, whose absence has been repeatedly declared by Beijing".

Separately, China's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday reiterated China firmly opposes "baseless accusations and political manipulation" when asked about Ukraine's latest claims.

There was no immediate comment on Ukraine's statement on the matter from Russia.