• Ukraine detains a Chinese father and son for allegedly attempting to export missile system documentation.
• The duo faces up to 15 years in prison for espionage activities.
• Ukraine asserts China's growing involvement in aiding Russia's war efforts.

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) announced the detention of two Chinese nationals, a father and his son, who are accused of attempting to illegally transfer classified documents on the RK-360MC Neptune missile system. The missile system was notably used to sink the Russian cruiser Moskva early in the conflict. The SBU stated that the son, aged 24, had previously been expelled from a technical university in Ukraine for academic reasons, and had attempted to recruit a local individual involved in weapons development for this smuggling operation, according to SCMP and AA.

The investigation revealed that the father, who resides in China, traveled to Ukraine to coordinate his son's espionage activities personally. Ukrainian authorities confiscated phones containing incriminating evidence during their arrest. If convicted, the father and son could face up to 15 years in prison, alongside property confiscation, reports CBS News and Reuters.

Beijing has responded to the arrests by stating it is still verifying the situation regarding its citizens, emphasizing the need to protect their legal rights. This follows Ukraine's claims that Chinese individuals have been aiding Russia's military efforts, which Beijing has consistently denied despite its ties to Moscow, as explained in AA.