Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that at least 155 Chinese nationals are currently fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing war. This statement follows the recent capture of two Chinese fighters earlier in the week, marking the first official accusation by Kyiv that China is supplying personnel to support Russia’s war efforts.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, Zelensky asserted that there are “many more” Chinese individuals involved in the conflict, citing intelligence gathered by Ukrainian authorities.
In response, China issued a statement on Thursday urging all parties to approach the situation with a “correct and sober understanding” of China’s position.
“China is not the initiator nor a party to the Ukrainian conflict,” said foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian. “We remain a firm supporter and active promoter of a peaceful resolution to the crisis.”
Lin reiterated previous comments suggesting that any Chinese citizens found fighting for Russia were doing so independently, not as representatives of the Chinese state. He emphasized that China consistently advises its citizens to avoid war zones and to refrain from participating in military operations in any form.
Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that his forces had engaged and captured two Chinese soldiers in the embattled Donetsk region, stating that a total of six Chinese nationals had been involved in the skirmish. Russia has refused to comment on this disclosure.
Zelensky emphasized the gravity of the situation during a press briefing, referring to it as a “serious issue” and claiming that Ukrainian authorities possess detailed personal data—names and passport information—on 155 Chinese citizens allegedly participating in combat operations against Ukrainian forces.
He further asserted that these individuals were being recruited through Russian social media channels, with the knowledge of the Chinese government. According to Zelensky, these recruits undergo military training in Moscow and are issued migration documents before being deployed to the frontlines. He also posted a video on X showing what appears to be the interrogation of the two captured Chinese fighters. Speaking in Mandarin, one described it as his first combat mission, admitting he had never fired a weapon before. The other soldier said his unit was split up during combat and that he surrendered alongside Russian troops.
Zelensky characterized this development as a deliberate escalation, stating:
> “Ukraine believes that such blatant involvement of Chinese citizens in hostilities on Ukrainian territory during this war of aggression is a calculated move to prolong the conflict and deepen international entanglements.”
He urged the United States and the broader international community to respond decisively. The U.S. has called the reports “disturbing” and expressed concern over the implications of Chinese nationals engaging in combat under Russian command.
This incident adds to growing international scrutiny of China’s purported neutrality in the conflict. Zelensky has previously accused Beijing of supplying components integral to Russian military systems and criticized its lack of consistency in maintaining a non-aligned stance. U.S. intelligence has also alleged that China has facilitated Russia’s military-industrial output by supplying dual-use technologies—such as semiconductors, drones, and manufacturing equipment—that bolster Moscow’s ability to sustain prolonged warfare.
While China has persistently denied the transfer of lethal weaponry and maintains that it manages dual-use exports in compliance with international laws, its expanding economic and strategic partnership with Russia raises critical questions. Beijing insists it remains a neutral actor, positioning itself as a proponent of peaceful resolution. Nevertheless, the presence of Chinese combatants in Ukraine, if substantiated, risks significantly altering geopolitical perceptions and could invite stricter sanctions or broader diplomatic fallout.
These developments follow another recent shock: the reported capture of two injured North Korean soldiers by Ukraine in Russia’s Kursk region, further highlighting the complex international dimensions now shaping the battlefield. As this conflict evolves, the convergence of global actors—state-sanctioned or otherwise—is reshaping the nature of modern proxy warfare.
