A CHINESE dad and his son have been accused of attempting to steal military secrets about Ukraine’s long-range missile programme.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported that they apprehended individuals “red-handed” as they attempted to illegally transfer classified documents concerning the Ukrainian RK-360MC Neptune missile system to China.

This missile system variant was employed to sink the Slava-class cruiser Moskva, a pivotal vessel in Vladimir Putin’s Black Sea Fleet, in the initial phases of the conflict.

A 24-year-old former student named Deng Yancheng was taken into custody by counterintelligence agents. He is accused of attempting to enlist a Ukrainian involved in the missile development process.

The SBU said it launched a sting operation and provided him with “technical documentation” related to Neptune production.

Authorities later detained his father, who was working to smuggle out the false documents to the Chinese special services, the intelligence agency added.

The father had been living in China but visited Ukraine to “personally coordinate” his son’s work, according to the officials.

Intelligence officials also uncovered mobile phones with encrypted communications between the two men.

The devices contained evidence of coordinated efforts to spy on Ukrainian military technology, SBU added.

If convicted, they face up to 15 years in prison on espionage charges.

Beijing said Thursday it was still “verifying” the case of a Chinese father and son detained by Ukraine.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said: “If Chinese citizens are involved, we will… safeguard Chinese citizens’ legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the law.”

Relations between Kyiv and Beijing, a key Russian ally, are strained.

Ukraine and the West accuse China of enabling the Russian invasion through trade and of supplying technology, including for deadly drone attacks.

Ukraine also says dozens of Chinese citizens have been recruited by Russia’s army and sent to fight.

Earlier this year, Ukrainian forces claimed to have captured Chinese nationals fighting for Russia on the battlefield.

President Zelensky said that Kyiv found six Chinese nationals fighting in the Donetsk region of Ukraine and took two of them prisoners.

He claimed that Ukraine had information about more Chinese citizens fighting with the Russian troops and demanded an official response from Beijing.

Zelensky said: “Our military captured two Chinese citizens who fought in the Russian army. This happened on the territory of Ukraine – in the Donetsk region.

“There are documents of these prisoners, bank cards, personal data.

Footage shared by Zelensky shows a suspected Chinese soldier captured fighting alongside the Russians

“We have information that there are significantly more such Chinese citizens in the units of the occupier than two.

“We are now clarifying all the facts. Intelligence, the SBU, and the relevant units of the Armed Forces are working.”

The captured Chinese soldiers, he said, are now being held by the Security Service of Ukraine. 

In an interview footage shared by Zelensky, the captured Chinese national appeared to mimic drones flying overhead.

He can be heard saying: “Vroom vroom… boom boom boom boom boom… and then my commander…”

Zelensky said that China’s involvement in the war is a “clear signal” that Putin wants to drag the war.

China is one of the biggest allies of Russia and has been accused by the West of helping Vladimir Putin with weapons.

Moscow and Beijing struck a “no limits” partnership on the eve of Russia’s February 2022 invasion, and have since deepened political, military and economic cooperation.

However, Beijing has repeatedly denied the allegations that it has helped the Kremlin fight against the Ukrainians.

If the troops are found to be serving members of the Chinese national army, it could result in a major war escalation.

However, soldiers from various countries have so far taken part in the Russia-Ukraine war – and it does not mean an official intervention by their home countries.

Thousands of troops from North Korea also joined the war to support Russia against Ukraine.