Zelenskyy expands sanctions on missile producers, pointing to China involvement

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday announced new sanctions targeting nearly 100 entities and individuals, including those based in China, claiming they are involved in the production of Russian Iskander missiles.

The accusation came a day after Zelenskyy alleged that China had been supplying weapons to Russia.

Earlier in the day, Ukraine said Iskander missiles had struck the city of Kharkiv, killing one and injuring more than 100 people.

"Today, we have expanded our Ukrainian sanctions against nearly a hundred more entities - natural and legal persons - most of whom are involved in the production of such missiles -Iskanders - like those that struck our Kharkiv," Zelenskyy said in a statement on X.

"Many of these entities are Russian, but unfortunately, some are also from China," he added.

Zelenskyy had earlier claimed Chinese citizens are fighting for Russia in the Ukraine war.

- China rejects ‘groundless’ accusation

China earlier on Friday rejected Zelenskyy’s accusation. “We have never provided lethal weapons to any party to the conflict, and strictly controlled the export of dual-use articles,” a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

“Ukraine knows that clearly and has said publicly that most of Russia’s imported military components came from the US and other Western countries. China firmly opposes groundless accusations and political manipulation."