Ukrainian President Claims Capture of Chinese Nationals Fighting Alongside Russian Forces

Ukrainian President Volodyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday that Ukrainian forces had detained two Chinese nationals who were reportedly fighting alongside Russian soldiers, stating that he would request clarification from Beijing and a reaction from Ukraine’s allies.

“Our military apprehended two Chinese individuals participating in the Russian army. This occurred within Ukrainian territory, specifically in the Donetsk region,” Zelensky shared in a social media post.

“We possess the documentation of these detainees, including bank cards and personal information,” he continued, also sharing a video that seemed to show one of the captured individuals.

There were no immediate responses from either Moscow or Beijing.

China has proclaimed a neutral stance in the conflict and denied providing lethal support to either party. However, it maintains a close political and economic partnership with Moscow, while NATO has identified China as a “key enabler” of Russia’s invasion, which China has refrained from criticizing.

Zelensky indicated that Ukraine possesses evidence suggesting that “many more Chinese citizens” are engaged in combat for Russia, and he has directed the foreign minister of Ukraine to promptly reach out to Beijing for further information.

He stated that the detention of the two men and the suggested involvement of China in the conflict serve as “a clear indication that Putin is willing to do anything but end the war.”

He also urged a collective response from the United States, Europe, and “everyone globally who advocates for peace.”

“I believe the United States needs to pay closer attention to the unfolding events,” he expressed during a press conference in Kyiv.

Zelensky added that Chinese nationals are not the sole foreigners fighting on the Russian side, highlighting the Kremlin’s deployment of North Korean troops in the Kursk region of southwestern Russia.

“The North Koreans have engaged in combat against us in the Kursk area, and the Chinese are fighting on Ukrainian soil. I believe this is a crucial issue that we must urgently address with our partners,” he remarked.

Ukraine, which sent its former foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba to China last year, has been aiming to strengthen its ties with Beijing. This week, Zelensky also appointed a new ambassador to China.