Key Points and Summary – Ukraine War Update: The U.S. has approved a new $322 million arms package for Ukraine, including Bradley vehicles and HAWK missile systems.
-Simultaneously, a new investigation reveals that China is covertly fueling Russia’s war machine.
-According to the report, Chinese-made drone engines are being secretly shipped to a Russian arms manufacturer, disguised as “industrial cooling units,” to help build hundreds of kamikaze drones per month.
-This comes as Ukrainian President Zelenskyy faces internal pressure over a controversial anti-corruption law and as the latest Russia-Ukraine peace talks have stalled with little progress.
U.S. Ramps Up Arms to Kyiv, as Beijing Covertly Backs Moscow
Washington has confirmed a $322 million arms sale to Ukraine.
The deal will include Bradley infantry vehicles and Hawk surface-to-air missile systems.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) claims the transfer is geared toward ramping up Kyiv’s defences and helping it improve American hardware already in its inventory.
The move requires congressional approval but reflects a broader trend of Western rearmament in support of Kyiv as the war enters its 1,247th day.
Zelenskyy Under Pressure
The sale comes amid a wave of internal pressure on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has faced backlash for weakening two key anti-corruption agencies.
Mass protests in Kyiv entered their second day, with demonstrators accusing the government of undermining the independence of institutions vital to Ukraine’s democratic credibility—particularly in the eyes of its Western allies.
In response, Zelenskyy pledged to submit a new bill that would reassert the autonomy of these bodies and ensure they are free from “Russian influence.” But the damage to public trust may take longer to repair.
Foreign observers have been quick to note the political dimension of the protests. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) emphasised that these were not anti-war or anti-Zelenskyy demonstrations, despite Russian state media’s efforts to portray them as such.
The protests instead reflect Ukrainians’ demand for governmental accountability even as the country endures existential threat.
Beijing Backing Russia, Behind Closed Doors
Meanwhile, a Reuters investigation has uncovered new evidence of China enabling Russia’s drone war.
Chinese-made L550E engines have been shipped covertly to Russian arms manufacturer IEMZ Kupol, disguised as industrial cooling units.
Kupol’s Garpiya-A1 drones, based partly on Iranian Shahed designs, are reportedly used to attack Ukrainian civilian targets, with as many as 500 deployed per month.
After initial sanctions targeted Chinese firm Xiamen Limbach,the new Beijing Xichao International entity emerged to funnel parts through front companies.
Beijing is still attempting to distance itself from the matter, telling Reuters that it complies with international obligations. Nonetheless, the evidence suggests a calculated circumvention of Western sanctions, undermining efforts to isolate Russia’s war machine.
Fresh Strikes on Odesa
Early Thursday, fresh Russian strikes on Odessa were launched. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone struck an oil facility close to Sochi on Russia’s Black Sea coast.
The latest Turkey-based ceasefire talks have achieved little more than a few prisoner exchanges, but Ukraine continues to push for a face-to-face summit between Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin before the Fall.
Moscow continues to dodge the question and pummel Ukrainian cities with their weaponry.
About the Author: Georgia Gilholy
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
Fighter Jet Fails
Russia’s Su-57 Felon Stealth Fighter Is a Waste of Rubles
