Ukrainian Forces Capture Chinese Nationals Fighting for Russia, Exposing Broader Chinese Military Presence in Ukraine as Russian Troops Continue Offensive Operations in Pokrovsk Direction While New Drone Attacks Hit Dnipro and Kharkiv
Summary of the Day — April 8, 2025
Today brought the shocking discovery of Chinese fighters within Russian occupation forces on Ukrainian territory, signaling further internationalization of the conflict and the crossing of lines Beijing had previously appeared unwilling to breach. Meanwhile, Russian forces continue their grueling offensive operations in the Pokrovsk direction, where Ukrainian defenders face enemies with a numerical advantage of up to 10 to 1 in certain areas. Russian drone strikes hit major cities including Dnipro and Kharkiv, injuring civilians and damaging infrastructure. On the diplomatic front, the White House continues to demonstrate an inability to halt Russian strikes against civilian infrastructure, while Belgium announced a powerful military aid package for Ukraine worth one billion dollars. Another round of bilateral talks between the US and Russia will take place in Istanbul on April 10, though Ukrainian issues will remain off the agenda. The US Army announced relocation of personnel from Poland’s Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport as reports emerge of potential troop withdrawals from Eastern Europe.
A local resident rides past the remains of buildings destroyed by Russian shelling in Borova, Kharkiv. (Jose Colon/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The Chinese Factor: Further Confirmation of the War’s Globalization
President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed shocking information about the capture of two Chinese fighters who were fighting as part of Russian forces on Ukrainian territory. According to Zelensky, Ukrainian troops clashed with six Chinese soldiers near the villages of Tarasivka and Bilohorivka in Donetsk Oblast. The two captured fighters are now being held by Ukraine’s Security Service.
“We have information that there are significantly more Chinese citizens in the occupier’s units than two,” Zelensky said, adding that Ukrainian authorities are working to establish the full facts. “We have the documents of these prisoners, bank cards, personal data.”
A screenshot from a video purporting to show Chinese soldiers captured by Ukraine while fighting for Russia (Telegram/President Zelensky)
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha summoned China’s charge d’affaires to express condemnation and demand an explanation. “Chinese citizens fighting as part of Russia’s invasion army in Ukraine puts into question China’s declared stance for peace and undermines Beijing’s credibility as a responsible permanent member of the UN Security Council,” Sybiha stated.
The revelation intensifies international concerns about Beijing’s role in supporting Russia’s war effort. US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce called the reports “disturbing,” noting that “China is a major enabler of Russia. China provides nearly 80 percent of the dual-use items Russia needs to sustain the war.”
Unlike North Korean troops who fought in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, the Chinese fighters were captured directly on Ukrainian territory, reflecting a dangerous new dimension in the conflict’s already complex international dynamics.
War of Attrition: Russian Forces Press with Overwhelming Numbers in Eastern Ukraine
The tactical situation in eastern Ukraine continues to deteriorate as Russian forces press their numerical advantage. In the Lyman sector of Donetsk Oblast, Ukrainian military spokesperson Anastasia Blyshchyk reported that Russian forces sometimes outnumber Ukrainian troops by 10 to 1.
“Sometimes there are 10 Russian occupiers for one of our infantrymen,” said Blyshchyk, who represents Ukraine’s 66th Separate Mechanized Brigade. “The Russians are pressing with an incredible amount of infantry, which they simply have a lot of.”
Despite suffering major losses, Russian units quickly replenish their ranks and continue to deploy in both large and small groups, exploiting weather conditions to gain ground. Over the past month, fighters from the 66th Brigade alone inflicted heavy losses on Russian troops, reportedly destroying two battalion-sized units.
The Three-Pronged Assault: Russia’s Strategic Objectives in Pokrovsk Direction
Russian forces are currently pursuing three distinct tactical objectives in the Pokrovsk direction, but Ukrainian drone operations and localized counterattacks are continuing to complicate Russian advances. Ukraine’s Khortytsia Group of Forces Spokesperson Major Viktor Trehubov stated that Russian forces are trying to cut the T-0504 Pokrovsk-Kostyantynivka highway northeast of Pokrovsk, bypass Pokrovsk from the west, and attack in the Novopavlivka direction southwest of Pokrovsk.
Russian forces have made limited gains northeast of Pokrovsk toward the T-0504 highway and southwest of Pokrovsk toward Novopavlivka but appear to be struggling to advance immediately south and southwest of Pokrovsk—where Ukrainian forces have focused most of their counterattacks in February, March, and early April 2025.
Russian advances northeast of Pokrovsk support both the ongoing Russian effort to envelop Pokrovsk from the east and west and the effort to pressure Kostyantynivka from the south by advancing along the T-0504 highway and eliminating the Ukrainian salient southwest of Toretsk.
Belgium Steps Up: Billion-Dollar Aid Package and Fighter Jets for Ukraine
In a significant boost to Ukraine’s defense capabilities, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever announced a new defense aid package worth 1 billion euros ($1 billion) during his visit to Kyiv. The funds will be used to purchase arms and strengthen Ukraine’s defense sector, including the production of new types of weapons.
President Volodymyr Zelensky and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever during a meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Volodymyr Zelensky/X)
“We talked about joint production of weapons and investments in production in Ukraine—this is something that will work for the whole of Europe,” Zelensky said during a joint press conference with De Wever.
According to the Belgian Prime Minister, Brussels will also provide Ukraine with two F-16 fighter jets for spare parts in 2025, with two more operational planes expected next year. The Belgian delegation, which included Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot and Defense Minister Theo Francken, also visited Bucha in Kyiv Oblast, the site of Russian war crimes during the early stages of the full-scale invasion.
Diplomatic Impasse: US-Russia Talks Exclude Ukraine from Agenda
Russian and US authorities announced that a second round of US-Russia bilateral discussions will be held in Istanbul on April 10. The talks will focus solely on normalizing diplomatic missions between the two countries, with Ukraine explicitly excluded from the agenda.
Russian Ambassador to the United States Alexander Darchiev and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Sonata Coulter will lead their respective delegations, following the same format as the February 27 meeting.
US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that the bilateral discussions will solely focus on normalizing US and Russian diplomatic operations. “These talks are solely focused on our embassy operations, not on normalizing a bilateral relationship overall, which can only happen, as we’ve noted, once there is peace between Russia and Ukraine,” Bruce said at a press briefing.
The Kremlin continues to demonstrate its refusal to substantively engage with the United States on proposed ceasefire agreements and future peace negotiations in Ukraine, despite President Trump’s continued calls for an end to hostilities.
U.S. Military Shifts: Relocation from Polish Airport and Potential Troop Withdrawals
The U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command announced on April 8 that American personnel and equipment will be relocated from Poland’s Rzeszow-Jasionka Airport, a key logistics hub for delivering military aid to Ukraine.
“The important work of facilitating military aid to Ukraine via Jasionka will continue under Polish and NATO leadership, supported by a streamlined U.S. military footprint,” the command said in a statement.
The redeployment, which will move assets to other locations in Poland, follows months of planning and is part of a broader strategy to optimize U.S. military operations across the region. “Poland is a great host,” said Gen. Christopher Donahue, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa. “After three years at Jasionka this is an opportunity to right-size our footprint and save American taxpayers tens of millions of dollars per year.”
Polish President Andrzej Duda responded by assuring that the move does not signify a U.S. troop withdrawal. “I don’t know if this is being implemented at this point. The very issue of taking responsibility for the security issues of the Rzeszow airport, its security, I know,” Duda said during a press conference in Tallinn.
The announcement coincides with reports that senior Defense Department officials are weighing a plan to withdraw up to 10,000 U.S. troops from Eastern Europe, potentially scaling back the temporary surge of 20,000 troops deployed in 2022 to bolster NATO’s eastern flank following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
A Ceasefire in Limbo: Russian Attacks Continue Despite Diplomatic Efforts
Russian forces renewed long-range missile and drone strikes against Ukraine overnight on April 7 to 8 following a brief pause. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile from Kursk Oblast and 46 Shahed and decoy drones from the direction of Primorsko-Aktarsk, Krasnodar Krai.
Ukrainian forces downed nine drones over northern and eastern Ukraine, and 31 decoy drones were “lost,” likely due to Ukrainian electronic warfare (EW) interference. The Iskander-M missile struck a recreation center in Vysoky, Kharkiv Oblast, while additional strikes targeted Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk oblasts.
At least three people were killed and 19 injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past day, regional officials reported on April 8. In Donetsk Oblast, Russian shelling killed two residents in Kostyantynivka and Hryshyno, and wounded two others, according to Governor Vadym Filashkin. In Kharkiv Oblast, a man was killed, and five others were injured. Governor Oleh Syniehubov said that homes, a garage, and a non-operational recreation center were damaged. Russian shelling in Kherson Oblast injured eight people, including a child, and struck critical and social infrastructure, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported. Dnipropetrovsk Oblast sustained artillery and drone strikes that wounded four people—two men and two women—Governor Serhii Lysak said.
Ukraine’s State Emergency Service extinguishes a fire caused by a Russian attack on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. (State Emergency Service / Telegram)
The attacks continued into the evening with a drone attack against the city of Dnipro, injuring at least 15 people according to Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Serhii Lysak. Eight people remained hospitalized as of April 9, with one victim suffering light injuries and the rest being in moderate condition. A series of explosions occurred in Dnipro between 10 and 11 p.m. local time, causing multiple fires throughout the city and damaging four houses, 15 high-rise buildings, about 20 cars, several enterprises, and administrative buildings.
The aftermath of a Russian drone attack against Dnipro, Ukraine. (Governor Serhii Lysak/Telegram)
Late at night on April 8, Russia also targeted the city of Kharkiv with a massive drone attack, causing multiple fires and injuring at least two people. At least 15 explosions rocked Kharkiv according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov. Russia launched waves of Shahed-type attack drones in a “massive” strike on the city, targeting civilian businesses, warehouses, industrial facilities, and service stations. Over 20 drones targeted Kharkiv, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said, with 17 striking the Osnovyanskyi district.
US President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Russia’s continued bombardment: “I’m not happy about what’s going on with the bombing because they’re bombing like crazy right now. They’re bombing—I don’t know what’s happening there,” Trump said during an Oval Office meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Despite Trump’s mediating efforts, Russia has refused to agree to a full 30-day ceasefire proposed by the US and accepted by Ukraine. Instead, Moscow has only agreed to partial ceasefires on energy infrastructure and in the Black Sea, which it has repeatedly violated.
America’s Patriot Promise: Zelensky Appeals for Additional Air Defense Systems
President Zelensky emphasized that new Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine could be the strongest sign of U.S. support following Russia’s deadly missile attack on the city of Kryvyi Rih that killed 20 people, including nine children.
“I thank our partners for supporting Ukraine and condemning it (Russia’s attack on Kryvyi Rih). But condemnation is not enough,” Zelensky said during a press conference with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in Kyiv.
“The Russians should be put in their place. They must end this war. The United States can transfer Patriot systems, they have a lot of them available. This is the best support for Ukraine today from the United States—to hand over Patriot systems.”
When asked how Russia’s attack on Kryvyi Rih affected the Ukraine-U.S. ceasefire talks, Zelensky said that Western partners had been asked once again to bolster Ukraine’s air defense, including with additional Patriot systems.
During his call with Zelensky, Trump reportedly agreed to assist Ukraine in finding additional U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems available in Europe. According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Zelensky asked specifically for Patriot missile systems to protect Ukrainian civilians, and Trump committed to locating available systems.
American Congresswoman’s Controversy: Calls for Zelensky’s Resignation and Territorial Concessions
U.S. Congressional Representative Victoria Spartz issued a statement on April 8 in response to media coverage of her controversial comments on the war in Ukraine. The Ukrainian-born lawmaker had previously called on President Volodymyr Zelensky to resign and suggested Ukraine cede territories to Russia in an interview with the Telegraph published April 7.
In her statement published April 8, Spartz accused the Telegraph of “intentionally misrepresenting” her views on the war but doubled down on her criticism of the Zelensky administration.
“I spent an enormous amount of energy trying to help the Ukrainian military to win their brutal fight against Russia,” Spartz said. “Unfortunately, if you have morons and crooks like Zelensky and his puppet parliament running your country, it’s a lost cause. (Russian President Vladimir) Putin might be evil, but he is not a moron.”
While Spartz claimed that the Telegraph’s coverage was “dishonest,” she repeated her assertion that Ukraine will not be able to retake territories currently occupied by Russian forces, stating: “The current reality on the ground is that Ukraine is not in the position to retake its territories, nor could they agree to give them up permanently.”
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry responded to Spartz’s remarks, with spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi stating: “Unlike Victoria, all of our land has always been and will always remain Ukrainian.” Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk also weighed in, accusing Spartz of echoing Kremlin narratives.
The Russian Tactical Adaptation: Evolving Drone Strike Strategies
Russian forces continue to innovate with long-range Shahed strike drone tactics to maximize the impact of strikes against Ukraine. Ukrainian military journalist and aviation expert Vadim Kushnikov noted that Russian forces are now attempting to fly Shahed drones in the densest possible formations to hit targets simultaneously, whereas Russian forces previously dispersed Shahed drones widely to make it more difficult for Ukrainian air defenses to intercept the drones.
Kushnikov stated that Russian forces will concentrate a group of 10 to 15 Shahed drones outside of a city before striking the city, accumulating them in a group and flying the drones along a set route in that formation. Russian forces have also increased the number of drone launch sites from three to five and are focusing on Ukrainian targets closer to the border in northeastern Ukraine, giving Ukrainian air defenses less time to react and intercept the drones.
The Kremlin’s Propaganda Campaign: ROC as a Tool of Occupation
The Kremlin is using the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) to consolidate social control over occupied areas of Ukraine and destroy any semblance of religious freedom. Russian opposition outlet Novaya Gazeta Evropa published a report detailing how the Kremlin-controlled ROC is targeting religious communities, particularly those affiliated with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), thereby serving as a tool of the Russian occupation administration throughout occupied Ukraine.
Novaya Gazeta Evropa found that Russian shelling and airstrikes, as well as bans and other repressive measures, decreased the total number of religious communities in occupied Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson oblasts from 1,957 before the full-scale invasion to 902 currently operating. The investigation found that over 51 percent of churches destroyed since 2022 have been OCU churches, likely because the ROC sees the OCU as its biggest “competitor.”
The ROC frequently seizes OCU churches that remained undamaged and appropriates them for ROC services or to cater to the needs of occupying Russian military personnel. Russian forces have also kidnapped, tortured, deported, and even killed OCU priests in a campaign of “systemic repression” against OCU clergy.
Territorial Gains and Losses: The Dynamic Battlefield Situation
Recent days have seen shifts in territorial control across multiple fronts. Ukrainian forces recently advanced west of Kotlyne, southwest of Pokrovsk, while Russian forces marginally advanced in northeastern Shevchenko, south of Pokrovsk.
In the Lyman direction, geolocated footage shows elements of the Russian 144th Motorized Rifle Division raising a flag in northwestern Katerynivka, northeast of Lyman, indicating that Russian forces have likely seized the settlement.
In Belgorod Oblast, Russian forces recently marginally advanced in southwestern Demidovka, northwest of Belgorod City, while in Kursk Oblast, Russian forces advanced along a road northwest of Guyevo, south of Sudzha, during a reinforced platoon-sized mechanized assault.
In the Toretsk direction, Russian forces advanced in fields northwest of Toretsk, applying pressure on Ukrainian defensive positions in multiple directions.
The situation remains extremely dynamic, with both sides making localized gains and suffering setbacks across the extensive front line.
Digital Warfare: Czech Prime Minister’s Social Media Account Hacked
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s X account was hacked on April 8, leading to the publication of false posts including a claim that Russian troops had attacked Czech forces near Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave.
“The post about the attack on Czech soldiers is not true,” government spokesperson Lucie Michut Jesatkova confirmed. Kaliningrad, a heavily militarized Russian territory wedged between NATO members Poland and Lithuania, does not share a border with Czechia, which lies further southwest in Central Europe.
The false post appeared designed to stoke panic or provoke confusion amid heightened tensions between NATO and Russia. Czechia has been one of Ukraine’s strongest backers since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, supplying military aid including tanks and artillery, accepting hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees, and consistently supporting EU and NATO sanctions against Moscow.
Looking Ahead: Putin’s Long-Term Strategy and Western Response
Russian President Vladimir Putin appears determined to seize Pokrovsk and attack Kostyantynivka despite enormous losses in manpower and equipment. Russian forces have spent the last 13 months and lost over five divisions’ worth of tanks and thousands of troops attacking toward Pokrovsk and trying to seize the town.
Ongoing Russian offensive operations highlight Putin’s determination to seize all of Ukraine through military means at whatever cost if he cannot do so through negotiations. The US Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s 2025 Annual Threat Assessment assessed in March 2025 that Putin remains committed to pursuing Ukrainian surrender through both diplomatic and military means.
As European states continue to provide financial and military aid to Ukraine, the fate of the conflict increasingly depends on the West’s resolve to maintain support for Kyiv in the face of Russian intransigence and escalation. The coming weeks will likely see continued Russian offensives in eastern Ukraine, further diplomatic maneuvering, and potential shifts in international support dynamics as the war enters its fourth spring with no end in sight.