Russia’s long-anticipated spring offensive in Ukraine has begun in earnest, according to top Ukrainian officials, amid a widening war effort that includes deep drone strikes, foreign nationals fighting in Russian ranks, and intensified appeals for Western military aid.
Chinese Nationals Confirmed Fighting for Russia
Ukrainian intelligence has identified at least 163 Chinese nationals serving in the Russian Armed Forces, according to classified documents obtained by The Kyiv Independent. A separate file dated April 2 reportedly includes photographs and passport details of 13 Chinese citizens being screened for enlistment.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, addressing the reports during an April 9 press conference, said Ukrainian authorities have confirmed the presence of 155 Chinese citizens fighting against Ukrainian forces on Ukrainian soil. “We are gathering more data and believe the actual number is significantly higher,” he said.
The leaked files are said to include names, personal details, deployment locations, and military assignments of Chinese individuals. Two of them—identified as Wang Guangjun, born in 1991, and Zhang Renbo, born in 1998—were captured by Ukrainian troops near Bilohorivka in Luhansk Oblast and Tarasivka in southern Ukraine, respectively.
According to Ukrainian military sources, one of the captured men said he had paid 300,000 rubles—around $3,000—to a middleman in China to facilitate his enlistment in the Russian army, motivated by promises of Russian citizenship. Ukraine’s Luhansk military unit confirmed the account to Ukrainska Pravda.
Zelensky said Russia was using Chinese social media platforms to circulate recruitment videos aimed at luring Chinese citizens to join its ranks. “Beijing is aware of this,” he said. “We are documenting the involvement of Chinese citizens—using weapons, fighting against us on Ukrainian soil.”
China’s government responded that it is “verifying” the claims and reiterated its policy prohibiting nationals from participating in foreign armed conflicts. The U.S. State Department called the revelations “disturbing,” with spokesperson Tammy Bruce saying on April 8, “We’re aware of those reports and are closely monitoring developments.”
Russia’s Spring Offensive “Already Begun”
Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi confirmed that Russia’s spring offensive is already in motion, particularly in the northeast of the country. In an interview published by LB.ua on April 9, Syrskyi said intensified Russian activity on the front lines was a clear indicator.
“I can say that the president is absolutely right—this offensive has effectively already begun,” he stated, referring to Zelensky’s recent warnings about Russian force buildups near the Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts.
According to Syrskyi, Russian offensive operations have nearly doubled across major fronts over the past week, signaling a coordinated military push.
Ukraine Proposes $50 Billion U.S. Defense Deal
Speaking at a press briefing on April 9, President Zelensky revealed that Ukraine is ready to allocate up to $50 billion toward a long-term defense package with the United States. He said Ukraine had already submitted a proposal to Washington outlining the types of weapons and systems it hopes to acquire.
“We handed over a large package to the American side that we want to purchase—in one form or another,” Zelensky said. “We’re open to various formats and financial mechanisms. We were ready to find $30 billion, even $50 billion, for the right kind of package.”
Kyiv views the proposed deal as a strategic guarantee of security, with Zelensky adding that the funding mechanism is flexible. “There is an agreement. We provide the funding—whether it goes to the Reconstruction Investment Fund or directly to the U.S., it makes no difference to us,” he said.
While American military aid has slowed amid domestic political debates, Syrskyi said European partners have stepped in to deliver the majority of Ukraine’s current defense support.
Russian Military Airfield Reportedly Targeted in Mass Drone Attack
A massive overnight drone attack on April 9 targeted multiple locations across occupied Crimea and southern Russia, including a key military airfield, according to Russian sources.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted 158 Ukrainian drones across several regions, with some reaching as far south as North Ossetia—nearly 1,000 kilometers from Ukraine’s border.
Independent Russian outlet Astra reported that drones struck near the Mozdok military airfield in North Ossetia, a base known for deploying MiG-31K aircraft equipped with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. Images circulated on social media appeared to show smoke rising near the area, with one photo geolocated approximately six kilometers from the airfield.
While Russian authorities have not confirmed a direct hit on the base, North Ossetia’s regional head Sergey Menyaylo said air defenses successfully “repelled” the drone assault in the Mozdok district. He reported no casualties or visible damage, though a drone alert was issued in the region.
Explosions were also reported in several other Russian cities, including Taganrog in Rostov Oblast, Tikhoretsk, Sloviansk-on-Kuban, Krymsk, Saratov, and Engels, according to local media and officials.
Airports in Vladikavkaz and Grozny—the capitals of North Ossetia and Chechnya—were reportedly shut down in response to the attacks.
The Ukrainian military has not publicly commented.
Russian Drone Strikes on Kyiv and Mykolaiv Injure at Least 12
Russian drones targeted Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and the southern city of Mykolaiv overnight, leaving at least 12 people injured, Ukrainian authorities reported on April 10.
The attacks caused explosions and damage in multiple districts. Emergency services responded to several fire outbreaks in both cities, say local officials.
In Kyiv, falling debris from intercepted drones damaged residential buildings and vehicles. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that emergency teams were deployed across the capital, and at least eight people were injured in the city.
Meanwhile, in Mykolaiv, regional authorities confirmed four additional injuries and reported structural damage to civilian infrastructure, including a warehouse and private homes.
Air raid sirens were active for several hours overnight as Ukraine’s air defenses worked to intercept the incoming drones. The Ukrainian Air Force is expected to release a full report on the number of drones launched and intercepted.
The attacks come amid a wider escalation in aerial assaults across Ukraine, as Russia continues its spring campaign.
Compiled by Ana Dumbadze
