Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Ukrainian intelligence has identified at least 155 Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing conflict. According to Zelensky, these individuals were recruited through social media platforms and subsequently transported to Russia, where they underwent one to two months of training before being deployed to the front lines.
Zelensky further stated that Ukrainian forces have captured two Chinese soldiers in different locations in eastern Ukraine. He asserted that Chinese authorities are aware of these recruitment activities and called for accountability regarding their involvement. Ukraine has proposed exchanging these captured individuals for Ukrainian soldiers held by Russia.
In response, China’s foreign ministry has labeled the accusations as unfounded, emphasizing that the Chinese government consistently advises its citizens to avoid conflict zones and strictly prohibits participation in military operations on any side.
This development adds complexity to the international dynamics of the conflict, as China has maintained a stance of neutrality while advocating for a peaceful resolution. The European Union has previously indicated that China is a significant facilitator of Russia’s war efforts, noting that 80% of dual-use goods entering Russia originate from China.
