Ukraine imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies on Friday claiming they were involved in production of advanced Iskander missiles, a day after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy alleged that China had been supplying weapons to Russia.

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, announced that Ukraine has obtained evidence of arms shipments from China to Russia. This marks the first time Kyiv has publicly confirmed Beijing's direct involvement in supporting Russian military actions,

Mr Zelensky wasted little time in casting the men as proof that “one more” nation – China – had joined the war against his country. However, the truth may be more mundane – that these men are part of ragtag mercenary forces hoovered up by Moscow’s meat-hungry armed forces.