Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine as Kyiv for the first time accuses China of providing weapons to Moscow.
A Russian missile strike has killed one person in the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, with a separate drone attack killing another person in the nearby city of Sumy.
At least five children were among dozens of people injured in Friday morning’s attack on Kharkiv that damaged 15 residential buildings, a business and an educational facility, according to Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov and emergency services.
In Sumy, a drone hit a bakery producing Easter cakes, killing at least one and injuring another person.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday that although Russia had seemingly scaled back its targeting of energy infrastructure, the overall volume of missile and drone attacks remained unchanged. It is striking Ukraine’s civilian sites instead, he added.
Meanwhile, Moscow warned of potential escalation if Germany proceeds with plans to send Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine.
Speaking at the United Nations on Thursday, Russia’s ambassador Vassily Nebenzia declared that such a move would mark Germany’s direct entry into the war.
“These countries are waging a war against Russia using their proxy forces,” he said. “Delivering Taurus missiles would be another step toward escalation.”
With a range of more than 500 kilometres (310 miles), the Taurus missile system is designed to penetrate fortified positions, making it a potentially game-changing addition to Ukraine’s arsenal.
Nebenzia also accused Kyiv of ignoring the partial ceasefire agreement reached in mid-March during a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and United States President Donald Trump.
He claimed Russia had honoured the accord while Ukraine had carried out more than 120 attacks, including on Russian power infrastructure.
“Ukraine did not apply the partial ceasefire regarding energy infrastructure. Therefore, talking about a ceasefire is unrealistic at this point,” he said.
Zelenskyy accuses China of arming Russia
Adding further tension, Zelenskyy accused China for the first time of providing weapons to Russia. Speaking in Kyiv, he alleged that Beijing was supplying artillery and manufacturing arms within Russian territory.
“We finally have information that China is supplying weapons to the Russian Federation,” he said, without specifying whether he meant shells, launchers, or both.
Beijing on Friday denied giving any party in the Ukraine war lethal weapons.
China has long maintained it is not a party to the conflict. Just last week, its Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it supported a peaceful resolution and rejected any claims of direct involvement.
Zelenskyy’s remarks also follow the capture of two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia, further straining already fraught relations between Kyiv and Beijing.
