Ukraine has expanded its claims regarding the involvement of significant numbers of Chinese nationals fighting for Russia’s invading army. Ukrainian officials assert that they have gathered detailed intelligence on more than 150 mercenaries allegedly recruited by Moscow through social media.
In response, Chinese officials have labeled these allegations as “totally unfounded.””>
The accusations from Ukraine and the denials from China come amid ongoing efforts by the US to secure a ceasefire in the prolonged conflict that has lasted over three years.
READ MORE: Ukraine says two Chinese men caught fighting alongside Russia
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Tuesday that the Ukrainian military had captured two Chinese men who were fighting alongside the Russian army on Ukrainian soil. This marked the first instance where Ukraine made such a claim about Chinese fighters in the ongoing conflict.
On Wednesday, Zelenskyy expressed his willingness to exchange the two prisoners of war for Ukrainian soldiers currently held captive in Russia. He claimed, without presenting evidence, that officials in Beijing were aware of Russia’s recruitment campaign for Chinese mercenaries, though he did not assert that the Chinese government authorized their involvement.
Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine possesses the last names and passport information of 155 Chinese citizens fighting for the Russian army, adding, “we believe that there are many more of them.” He shared documents with journalists that listed names, passport numbers, and other personal details of the alleged Chinese recruits, including their arrival dates in Russia for military training and departure dates for service; however, the AP has not independently verified these documents.
Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, China has provided strong diplomatic support to Russia. Western officials claim that China has also supplied machinery and microelectronics to Russia that can be utilized in weapons manufacturing, along with providing an economic lifeline through trade in energy and consumer goods.
READ MORE: EU urges citizens to stockpile 72 hours’ worth of supplies amid war risk
China is not believed to have knowingly supplied Russia with troops, weapons, or military expertise. In contrast, US officials have accused Iran of providing drones to Russia, while American and South Korean officials report that North Korea has dispatched thousands of troops and ammunition to assist Russia on the battlefield.
With the US and Europe extending substantial military support and diplomatic backing to Ukraine, the ongoing war has transformed into a contest between global power blocs.
Tensions between the US and China have escalated in recent years, primarily over geopolitical influence, technology, and trade disputes, with increasing import tariffs between the two nations unsettling global financial markets. Zelenskyy mentioned that US officials expressed “surprise” upon learning about the presence of Chinese mercenaries in Ukraine.
US President Donald Trump aims to fulfill a campaign promise from the previous year to swiftly bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
