Kiev, Ukraine – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed on Wednesday that at least 155 Chinese citizens are fighting for Russia in the ongoing war in Ukraine. This announcement came after two Chinese fighters were captured earlier in the week, marking the first official claim from Kyiv that China was providing manpower to Russia’s military efforts.
Zelensky emphasized that there may be “many more” Chinese nationals involved in the conflict based on information obtained by the Ukrainian government. In response, a Chinese government spokesman urged all parties to have a correct understanding of China’s role in the situation and to refrain from making irresponsible accusations.
The Chinese spokesperson stated that China is not the instigator or a participant in the Ukrainian crisis, but rather advocates for a peaceful resolution. They clarified that Chinese citizens are advised to avoid conflict zones and not engage in military operations of any kind.
The Ukrainian President alleged that Chinese soldiers were being recruited by Russia through social media and then trained in Moscow before being deployed to fight in Ukraine. Zelensky specified that all recruitment, training, and payment processes were organized by Russia, and that Beijing was aware of these activities.
Zelensky provided further details by releasing a video of the interrogation of the two captured Chinese soldiers, where they described their experiences before being taken prisoner. The President condemned the involvement of Chinese citizens in the conflict, viewing it as an escalation of the war instigated by Moscow.
The United States expressed concern over reports of Chinese individuals fighting for Russia, calling the situation “disturbing.” This development has strained Ukraine’s diplomatic relations with China, as Zelensky has previously accused Beijing of supplying military equipment to Russia.
Despite China’s claims of neutrality in the conflict, the U.S. has accused Beijing of aiding Russia in producing military equipment and exporting dual-use technology. While China and Russia have a strong political and economic alliance, China maintains that its trade with Moscow complies with international laws and regulations.
The capture of Chinese and North Korean soldiers within Russian territory signals a complex international entanglement in the Ukrainian crisis, prompting calls for a coordinated response from the global community to address the escalating conflict.