Zelenskyy accuses China of arming Russia: Secret artillery supply chain exposed

Why is Ukraine accusing China of supplying artillery to Russia?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that Ukraine has obtained verifiable intelligence showing China‘s involvement in supporting Russia’s war effort, including the delivery of artillery and critical munitions. Speaking during a press conference in Kyiv on April 17, 2025, Zelenskyy stated that his government has evidence that China has supplied both gunpowder and artillery systems to Russia. While he refrained from sharing specific intelligence data or footage, he asserted that some of the evidence relates to Chinese nationals allegedly working within Russian weapons manufacturing facilities. Zelenskyy also suggested that this assistance goes beyond logistics, implying direct collaboration in the production of arms on Russian soil.

His remarks come amid a period of intensifying scrutiny over China’s role in the Ukraine conflict. Although China has repeatedly insisted it is a neutral party, these latest accusations, if substantiated, could significantly alter the geopolitical narrative surrounding its position and further isolate Beijing diplomatically in the West.

What is the historical context behind China’s alleged neutrality?

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, China has walked a tightrope, avoiding overt condemnation of Russia while calling for peace negotiations. In public forums, including the United Nations, Chinese officials have regularly abstained from votes that directly condemn Russia’s actions. At the same time, China has positioned itself as a potential broker for peace talks, releasing a vague 12-point peace proposal in 2023 that was widely criticised in Western capitals for failing to mention the withdrawal of Russian troops.

Despite maintaining diplomatic relations with both Kyiv and Moscow, China’s economic and strategic ties with Russia have only deepened during the war. Trade between the two nations reached record levels in 2023 and 2024, driven by Chinese purchases of discounted Russian oil and gas and increased exports of dual-use goods such as machine tools and microelectronics. These trade flows have attracted the attention of U.S. and European intelligence agencies, who have repeatedly warned that Chinese-made components, while not classified as weapons, have been found in Russian military hardware recovered on the battlefield.

What evidence did Ukraine present about Chinese weapons support?

While Zelenskyy did not disclose the full extent of Ukraine’s intelligence findings, he confirmed that his administration is preparing to make the evidence public. According to his statement, Ukrainian agencies have gathered data showing Chinese representatives working inside Russian arms manufacturing plants. The president left it ambiguous whether this referred to technical advisers, state-sponsored personnel, or private contractors. However, he hinted that the evidence would show a broader pattern of cooperation, beyond isolated incidents.

This is not the first time Ukraine has pointed to alleged Chinese involvement in supporting Russia’s military. In late 2024, Ukrainian forces reportedly detained several foreign nationals, including individuals carrying Chinese identification, who were allegedly embedded with Russian military units. While these claims were met with denials from Beijing, Zelenskyy’s fresh remarks elevate the situation to a more formal diplomatic challenge.

How has China responded to previous accusations of supporting Russia?

Beijing has consistently denied supplying military aid to Russia. Chinese President Xi Jinping had earlier assured President Zelenskyy during bilateral communication that China would not provide weapons or lethal aid to Moscow. That pledge came in response to pressure from the United States and European Union, who warned of severe sanctions should China be found complicit in helping Russia sustain its war campaign.

The official Chinese position continues to characterise its role as that of a peace advocate, even as it reaps economic benefits from its partnership with Russia. In March 2025, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokespeople reiterated that all trade with Russia is in line with international law and does not include lethal aid. However, the blurred line between civilian and dual-use technologies, combined with China’s opaque supply chains, has raised ongoing concerns in Western intelligence circles.

Could Chinese military support change the direction of the war in Ukraine?

The delivery of large-scale artillery systems or industrial-grade gunpowder to Russia could have serious implications for the battlefield dynamics in Ukraine. Artillery remains one of the most strategically decisive weapons in the war, responsible for the majority of casualties on both sides. Ukrainian forces have regularly reported facing shortages of 155mm shells, especially as Western military aid becomes more fragmented due to political delays, particularly in the United States.

If Russia is indeed receiving Chinese artillery or munitions in any capacity, it could partially offset the impact of Western sanctions and improve Moscow’s logistical endurance. That would be especially significant as Ukraine braces for a potentially intense summer campaign, with Russian forces reportedly preparing fresh offensives in the eastern and southern fronts. A reliable supply of gunpowder and shell casings could enable Russia to sustain higher rates of artillery fire—one of its key advantages in the war so far.

How might the West respond to Ukraine’s allegations?

Should Ukraine release credible evidence confirming direct Chinese military support for Russia, Western governments will likely be forced to reassess their policy toward Beijing. The United States has previously warned of secondary sanctions on foreign entities found supporting Russia’s war economy. These sanctions have already been applied to firms in Iran, North Korea, and China that allegedly provided dual-use goods or surveillance technology to Russia.

A confirmed link between Chinese state-backed firms or government institutions and Russian weapons production could trigger further export restrictions, financial penalties, and greater scrutiny of Chinese imports into Europe and the United States. It would also complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts to stabilise relations with China, particularly in trade and climate negotiations.

Moreover, it could push Ukraine’s allies to harden their stance on supplying long-range weapons or air defence systems. While European support for Ukraine has remained relatively consistent, fresh evidence of Chinese intervention could persuade hesitant governments to deepen their military aid and logistics support.

What are the broader geopolitical implications of these allegations?

If substantiated, Ukraine’s claims could have ripple effects beyond the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The allegations may alter the fragile balance between the West and China, bringing into question Beijing’s ambitions as a global peacemaker and its respect for sovereign borders. Any evidence of artillery or weapons-grade materials originating from China would cast doubt on the credibility of its neutrality in future conflicts.

It could also deepen the bifurcation of the global order, accelerating a trend in which the United States, the European Union, and their allies increasingly see China and Russia as part of a strategic axis seeking to rewrite international norms. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has repeatedly warned about the growing military and technological ties between Beijing and Moscow, calling for more resilience across supply chains and military alliances.

In the Indo-Pacific, such revelations could further embolden concerns in Taiwan, Japan, and Southeast Asia about China’s geopolitical ambitions. Several of these countries are already aligning more closely with the U.S. in terms of security cooperation, partly due to growing mistrust of Chinese intentions.

What comes next for Ukraine, China, and the global community?

President Zelenskyy stated that more information would be released in the coming week. If concrete documentation or visual evidence is disclosed, it is likely to trigger formal diplomatic escalations, including calls for investigations at the United Nations and renewed debates within the G7 and NATO forums.

The timing of these allegations is particularly critical as global powers remain focused on containing military conflicts while also managing delicate economic interdependencies. China’s role in global supply chains, manufacturing, and rare earths means that any move to isolate it further would carry global economic consequences.

Ultimately, the emergence of alleged Chinese artillery support to Russia marks a potentially defining moment in the Ukraine war and in the wider geopolitical competition between authoritarian and democratic states. For Ukraine, proving such claims may rally further support; for China, disproving or deflecting the narrative will be crucial to preserving its international standing.