Tensions between Ukraine and China escalated Wednesday after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed his government had detailed intelligence on more than 150 Chinese nationals fighting as mercenaries for Russia in the ongoing war.
China swiftly denied the accusations, calling them “totally unfounded” and warning against misinterpretation of the situation.
The allegations follow Zelenskyy’s announcement Tuesday that two Chinese men had been captured on the battlefield fighting alongside Russian forces, a first for Kyiv since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.
On Wednesday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was willing to exchange the Chinese prisoners for Ukrainian soldiers held by Russia.
Without directly accusing the Chinese government of deploying troops, Zelenskyy said Beijing was aware of Russia’s efforts to recruit Chinese fighters through social media and offered to show journalists documents listing passport numbers and travel dates for 150 alleged mercenaries. “We believe that there are many more of them,” he added.
Responding to the claims, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian dismissed them as “groundless” and reiterated that Beijing urges its citizens to stay away from conflict zones and not to engage in any party’s military operations. “China has played a constructive role in politically resolving the Ukraine crisis,” Lin said in Beijing on Wednesday, as reported by New York Times.
Despite maintaining an official stance of neutrality, China has provided significant economic and diplomatic support to Russia since the war began. According to US officials, nearly 80% of dual-use goods — technologies that can be used for both civilian and military purposes — entering Russia come from China. These include microelectronics and machine tools used to manufacture missiles, tanks, and drones, reported AP.
The US state department described reports of Chinese citizens fighting for Russia as “disturbing.” Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said, “China is a major enabler of Russia in the war in Ukraine,” citing Beijing’s trade in dual-use items and machinery that sustain Moscow’s military campaign. Bruce added that Chinese-Russian cooperation contributes to “global instability” and undermines international security.
Zelenskyy said US officials expressed “surprise” when briefed about the presence of Chinese nationals among Russian ranks.
The war has seen participation from foreign fighters on both sides. Russia has reportedly received troops and ammunition from North Korea, while Iran has supplied drones. Ukraine has also enlisted foreign volunteers in its international brigades.
China’s state media has not reported the alleged Chinese fighters, but unverified accounts have circulated on Chinese social media suggesting that individuals have traveled to fight as mercenaries in Ukraine, reported The New York Times.
Meanwhile, fierce fighting continues along the 1,000-kilometre front line. Ukrainian officials said Russia launched 55 Shahed and decoy drones overnight, including a “massive drone attack” on Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region that injured a child and two others.
Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have intercepted 158 Ukrainian drones across 11 regions, some reaching as far as the Orenburg region in the southern Urals, nearly 1,200 kilometers from the border.
Amid these developments, US President Donald Trump’s administration is pushing for a ceasefire. However, Moscow has effectively rejected a proposed 30-day halt to fighting, while Kyiv has agreed in principle.
China swiftly denied the accusations, calling them “totally unfounded” and warning against misinterpretation of the situation.
The allegations follow Zelenskyy’s announcement Tuesday that two Chinese men had been captured on the battlefield fighting alongside Russian forces, a first for Kyiv since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022.
On Wednesday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was willing to exchange the Chinese prisoners for Ukrainian soldiers held by Russia.
Without directly accusing the Chinese government of deploying troops, Zelenskyy said Beijing was aware of Russia’s efforts to recruit Chinese fighters through social media and offered to show journalists documents listing passport numbers and travel dates for 150 alleged mercenaries. “We believe that there are many more of them,” he added.
The first two captured Chinese citizens. Today, investigators from the Security Service of Ukraine spoke with them. We are working to establish all the facts regarding the involvement of these and other Chinese citizens being part of the Russian occupation army. Ukrainian… pic.twitter.com/PkBpBjI2Qm
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 9, 2025
Responding to the claims, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian dismissed them as “groundless” and reiterated that Beijing urges its citizens to stay away from conflict zones and not to engage in any party’s military operations. “China has played a constructive role in politically resolving the Ukraine crisis,” Lin said in Beijing on Wednesday, as reported by New York Times.
Despite maintaining an official stance of neutrality, China has provided significant economic and diplomatic support to Russia since the war began. According to US officials, nearly 80% of dual-use goods — technologies that can be used for both civilian and military purposes — entering Russia come from China. These include microelectronics and machine tools used to manufacture missiles, tanks, and drones, reported AP.
The US state department described reports of Chinese citizens fighting for Russia as “disturbing.” Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said, “China is a major enabler of Russia in the war in Ukraine,” citing Beijing’s trade in dual-use items and machinery that sustain Moscow’s military campaign. Bruce added that Chinese-Russian cooperation contributes to “global instability” and undermines international security.
Zelenskyy said US officials expressed “surprise” when briefed about the presence of Chinese nationals among Russian ranks.
The war has seen participation from foreign fighters on both sides. Russia has reportedly received troops and ammunition from North Korea, while Iran has supplied drones. Ukraine has also enlisted foreign volunteers in its international brigades.
China’s state media has not reported the alleged Chinese fighters, but unverified accounts have circulated on Chinese social media suggesting that individuals have traveled to fight as mercenaries in Ukraine, reported The New York Times.
Meanwhile, fierce fighting continues along the 1,000-kilometre front line. Ukrainian officials said Russia launched 55 Shahed and decoy drones overnight, including a “massive drone attack” on Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region that injured a child and two others.
Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have intercepted 158 Ukrainian drones across 11 regions, some reaching as far as the Orenburg region in the southern Urals, nearly 1,200 kilometers from the border.
Amid these developments, US President Donald Trump’s administration is pushing for a ceasefire. However, Moscow has effectively rejected a proposed 30-day halt to fighting, while Kyiv has agreed in principle.
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