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Ukraine Says 155 Chinese Nationals Are Fighting for Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that his country’s intelligence services have identified 155 Chinese nationals serving in the Russian military. The statement comes just a day after Ukraine captured two Chinese citizens on the battlefield.
Captured Fighters Spark International Attention
According to Ukrainian officials, the two Chinese nationals were taken prisoner in the Donetsk region, a hot zone of fighting in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian forces reportedly recovered their IDs, bank cards, and personal data, confirming their identities.
President Zelensky noted that many of these individuals were recruited through social media and online ads. He also mentioned that his security team believes there may be even more Chinese citizens fighting for Russia. A leaked document shared with CNN listed over 150 Chinese individuals in low-ranking roles within various Russian military units. Most of the contracts were dated 2024.
China Responds to Accusations
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs quickly dismissed the claims, calling them "groundless." Spokesperson Lin Jian said the Chinese government always warns its citizens to avoid war zones and not take part in foreign military operations.
Beijing also stated it was in contact with Ukrainian authorities to verify the claims. Meanwhile, Kremlin officials declined to comment on the reported capture of Chinese nationals.
Motivation Behind the Recruitment
One of the captured Chinese men reportedly paid about $3,500 to a middleman in China to join the Russian military, hoping to gain Russian citizenship. According to Ukrainian forces, this man underwent basic military training in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region along with other Chinese recruits. There were no interpreters during training—only gestures and phone translation apps were used.
Ukrainian authorities said this man and others in his group may have had legal troubles in China, which could explain their willingness to join a foreign army. He was captured after the Russian unit he was with surrendered under pressure from Ukrainian troops.
The man is currently cooperating with Ukrainian investigators and confirmed that his family knew he was going to Russia. Officially, he had traveled as a tourist.
Ukraine Open to Prisoner Swap
President Zelensky said Ukraine is willing to exchange the two captured Chinese nationals for Ukrainian prisoners of war currently held by Russia. He also added that there is no clear evidence yet linking these fighters to any official policy from the Chinese government.
Foreign Nationals in the Ukraine War
While some Americans and Britons have voluntarily joined Ukrainian forces against Russian troops, this is one of the first times foreign nationals, especially from China, have been captured fighting for Russia. These new revelations add complexity to the international dimensions of the ongoing conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
