The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported on July 9 that its counterintelligence unit detained two Chinese citizens in Kyiv. They are suspected of attempting to illegally provide confidential documents related to Ukraine's RK-360MC "Neptune" missile system to China.

The "Neptune" missile is a key weapon for the Ukrainian armed forces, capable of striking various naval vessels and landing ships. Ukraine claims that in April 2022, the "Neptune" missile destroyed the Russian Black Sea Fleet's flagship, the "Moscow".

According to the SBU, one of the suspects is a 24-year-old former student who was expelled from a technical university in Kyiv in 2023 due to poor academic performance but remained in Kyiv. The other suspect is his father, who resides permanently in China but visits Ukraine regularly. The SBU claims that he "personally coordinated his son's espionage activities".

This former student sought to obtain technical documents related to the production of the Ukrainian "Neptune" and attempted to recruit a Ukrainian citizen involved in the development of the armed forces' latest weapons. The SBU stated that it monitored his activities early in his espionage efforts and detained him "on the spot" while he was attempting to transfer classified documents.

Additionally, during the search, police confiscated mobile phones from the two suspects, which contained evidence of their communication regarding espionage activities. According to online media reports, the two defendants face charges of espionage and, if convicted, could face up to 15 years in prison and asset confiscation.

Reports also indicate that China, as a key wartime partner of Moscow, has helped Russia evade sanctions and become the largest dual-use material supplier to the Russian military industrial sector. President Zelensky has repeatedly condemned China's support for Russia and imposed sanctions on five Chinese companies on July 8 for allegedly providing components for Shahed drones used in attacks on Ukraine.