Two Chinese nationals were caught fighting for Russia in eastern Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday, warning of the growing friendship between two of America’s top adversaries.
The two Chinese citizens were “fighting as part of the Russian army” in Donetsk — and Kyiv intelligence indicates they may not be alone.
“We have information suggesting that there are many more Chinese citizens in the occupier’s units than just these two,” Zelensky said in a message on X. “We are currently verifying all the facts — intelligence, the Security Service of Ukraine, and the relevant units of the Armed Forces are working on it.”
“I have instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to immediately contact Beijing and clarify how China intends to respond to this,” he added.
While it was immediately unclear how the Chinese troops ended up in Russia’s trenches, Zelensky said the addition of foreign forces does not support Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claims of being interested in a possible cease-fire or peace deal.
“Russia’s involvement of China, along with other countries, whether directly or indirectly, in this war in Europe is a clear signal that Putin intends to do anything but end the war,” he said.
“He is looking for ways to continue fighting.”
Zelensky then called on the US to take action if China is making a concerted effort to help Russia continue its invasion of his war-torn country.
“This definitely requires a response. A response from the United States, Europe, and all those around the world who want peace.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the involvement of Chinese troops is contradictory to Beijing’s claims of neutrality and desire for an end to the conflict.
“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,” Sybiha wrote on social media.
Their capture comes months after North Korea sent roughly 10,000 troops to Kursk, Russia, to fight with Putin’s troops against Kyiv’s first incursion into the territory in August.
That campaign, which lasted about seven months before Ukraine began to withdraw in March, led to the deaths of roughly a third of the North Korean forces deployed, according to Ukrainian estimates.
North Korea recently sent another contingent of about 4,000 troops to re-augment their forces helping Russia.
While Ukrainians have given back Kursk, they have launched a new offensive into Russia this month, with Zelensky confirming on Monday that Kyiv’s forces have penetrated Russia’s Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine.
“We continue to carry out active operations in the border areas on enemy territory, and that is absolutely just — war must return to where it came from,” he said on Monday.
