China asked Ukraine not to strike Vladivostok during vice premier's visit - Kyodo
China asked Ukraine to refrain from attacking Russia's Vladivostok while Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang was visiting the city for an economic forum, Kyodo News reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Ukraine agreed not to attack the city, according to the report.
Beijing made the request to ensure the safety of Ding and the Chinese delegation attending the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. Ding is China's vice premier and ranks sixth on the Communist Party's powerful Politburo Standing Committee.
Vladivostok lies in Russia's Far East, roughly 6,500 kilometers (4,000 miles) from Ukraine.
Ukraine has previously demonstrated its ability to strike targets deep inside Russia. During Operation Spiderweb in June 2025, Ukrainian drones that had been secretly transported into Russia attacked strategic bombers at several Russian air bases.
Kyodo suggested that concerns over a similar long-range Ukrainian operation may have prompted Beijing's request, although the report did not say that Chinese officials explicitly cited Operation Spiderweb.
China officially maintains a neutral position on Russia's war against Ukraine and has repeatedly called for negotiations, while deepening economic and political ties with Moscow.