Ukraine captured 2 Chinese nationals fighting for Russia

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on April 8 that Ukrainian forces had captured two Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian troops in Donetsk Oblast. The arrests followed a clash between Ukrainian forces and a group of six Chinese soldiers near the villages of Tarasivka and Bilohorivka. Zelensky said Ukraine possesses the documents, bank cards, and personal data of the detained individuals and believes there are more Chinese citizens fighting within Russian ranks.

The captured individuals are currently being held by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU). In response, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha summoned China’s chargé d'affaires, demanding an official explanation. Sybiha condemned the incident, stating that the involvement of Chinese citizens in Russia’s war undermines Beijing’s claimed neutrality and damages its credibility as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. He stressed that this development casts serious doubt on China’s stated support for peace.

Zelensky warned that the presence of foreign fighters, including Chinese nationals, reflects the Kremlin’s determination to escalate the war. He also called for international action, urging the United States, Europe, and the global community to respond. At a joint press conference with Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever, Zelensky drew a distinction between supporters of Russia in the war: “The North Koreans fought against us in the Kursk direction; the Chinese are fighting on the territory of Ukraine.”

Situation on Lyman front crashes, eten Russians for every Ukrainian soldier in some areas of the frontline

The situation on the Lyman front has significantly deteriorated over the past month, with Russian forces intensifying their assault using large numbers of infantry and advanced drone tactics. According to Anastasiia Blyshchyk, spokesperson for Ukraine’s 66th Separate Mechanised Brigade, Russian troops are deploying small and large infantry groups that exploit weather conditions to infiltrate Ukrainian positions and strike from the rear. These attacks are often supported by a high volume of drones, including those with fibre-optic control, making them more resilient to electronic countermeasures.

Blyshchyk emphasized that despite suffering heavy losses, Russian forces are able to rapidly replenish their ranks. In just one month, Ukrainian fighters from her brigade reportedly eliminated enemy troops equivalent to two battalions, yet the assaults continue. This constant replenishment of manpower allows Russia to maintain its offensive momentum, even as casualties mount.

One of the key challenges for Ukrainian defenders is the disparity in manpower. Blyshchyk stated that in some sectors, there are as many as ten Russian soldiers for every Ukrainian infantryman. This imbalance puts enormous strain on Ukrainian units holding the line and highlights the urgent need for additional support to counter the growing pressure on this critical front.

Three civilians injured by the Russian strike on Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast

Russian forces launched three separate attacks on the city of Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on April 8, initially shelling the area with artillery before later deploying kamikaze drones. The strikes caused injuries and significant damage to civilian infrastructure.

According to Serhii Lysak, head of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, two men, aged 36 and 43, were wounded in the attacks. Medical teams treated them, and their injuries were not life-threatening. Both are expected to recover at home.

The assaults damaged four residential houses, two outbuildings, three garages, a car, and a local café. Power lines in the area were also struck, disrupting electricity supplies. The attacks are part of a continued pattern of Russian strikes targeting civilian areas far from the front lines.

Russian drone hits humanitarian aid distribution point in Kharkiv Oblast

A Russian drone struck a humanitarian aid distribution point in the village of Bilyi Kolodiaz, Kharkiv Oblast, on April 8, injuring a civilian woman. The attack targeted the village council building during a scheduled aid distribution, highlighting Russia’s ongoing assaults on civilian infrastructure.

According to the Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor’s Office, the munition was dropped by a first-person view (FPV) drone around 11:00 a.m. The blast shattered windows and damaged the building’s facade. The injured woman was at the site to receive aid.

This incident is part of a broader pattern of Russian attacks disrupting humanitarian operations and endangering civilians far from active combat zones. Authorities are investigating the attack as a violation of international humanitarian law.

Europe increases ammunition production amid growing threats

Ukraine's European allies are stepping up efforts to boost artillery ammunition production and tackle supply chain bottlenecks caused by a shortage of critical components. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that European defense companies are making strategic moves to increase self-reliance and sustain support for Ukraine’s defense needs.

German defense manufacturer Rheinmetall announced on April 7 the acquisition of Hagerdorn-NC, a nitrocellulose producer, to bolster its supply chain for ammunition, particularly 155mm artillery shells. Rheinmetall currently manufactures nitrocellulose in Switzerland, Spain, and South Africa, and plans to increase its gunpowder production by over 50% by 2028. Its subsidiary Nitrochemie Aschau has already ramped up production by 60% since 2022 and aims for another 40% increase by mid-2025.

ISW highlighted that European arms production has long been dependent on Chinese suppliers for key components, including cotton fibers used to make nitrocellulose. In response, Rheinmetall has diversified its sourcing, turning to suppliers within Europe and EU partner countries. The company has also established a multi-year strategic reserve to reduce vulnerability and ensure long-term production stability.