Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has shockingly claimed that Ukrainian forces had captured two Chinese individuals fighting along with Russian troops in the eastern Donetsk region. If true, this development could seriously strain Beijing’s claims of neutrality in the ongoing war. The announcement, made through a post on social media, was accompanied by a video of one of the captured individuals and details of the evidence found in their possession.
“Our military captured two Chinese citizens who fought in the Russian army. This happened on the territory of Ukraine — in the Donetsk region,” Zelensky stated. “We have the documents of these prisoners, bank cards, and personal data,” he added.
Zelensky said that based on available intelligence, Ukraine believes there are many more Chinese nationals fighting in the ranks of Russian forces. “We have information suggesting that there are many more Chinese citizens in the occupier’s units than just these two,” he said, noting that “relevant investigative and operational actions are ongoing.”
After the revelation, Ukraine summoned the Chinese chargé d’affaires in Kyiv, according to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry. Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Andrii Sybiha commented on the matter, saying, “Chinese citizens fighting as part of Russia’s invasion army in Ukraine puts into question China’s declared stance for peace and undermines Beijing’s credibility as a responsible permanent member of the UN Security Council.”
China has long claimed to be a neutral party in the Russia-Ukraine war and insists that it has not supplied deadly assistance to either side, in contrast to the United States and Western nations, which have provided extensive support to Kyiv. However, Russia and China have strengthened their political, military, and economic ties since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
NATO has labeled China a “decisive enabler” of Russia’s war efforts, highlighting Beijing’s failure to condemn the invasion. Zelensky, who has consistently urged Beijing to exert pressure on Moscow to halt the war, said the involvement of Chinese nationals is a stark warning. “This is a clear signal that Putin is going to do anything but end the war,” he said. “He is looking for ways to continue fighting.”
Zelensky confirmed that the captured Chinese troops are now in the custody of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). He said the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry to reach out to Beijing immediately and seek clarification on the matter.
“This situation demands a response not only from China, but also from the United States, Europe, and all those who claim to stand for peace,” Zelensky stressed at a press conference in Kyiv.
He further referenced Russia’s deployment of thousands of North Korean troops to the western region of Kursk, where Ukrainian forces have struggled to maintain ground following a surprise offensive last year. “The North Koreans fought against us in the Kursk region, the Chinese are fighting on the territory of Ukraine. And I think this is an important point that we need to discuss with our partners, I think urgently,” he added.
Despite Ukraine’s ongoing diplomatic meeting with China, including appointing a new ambassador and past visits by former foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba, the alleged participation of Chinese citizens in Russia’s war efforts poses new challenges to Kyiv’s efforts to court Beijing.
