KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian forces have captured two Chinese nationals allegedly fighting for the Russian military in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
The president stated that intelligence reports suggest the presence of many more Chinese soldiers within Russia’s ranks.
This development marks the first official allegation that China may be supplying Russia with military manpower for its ongoing war in Ukraine.
Zelensky, in a post on social media platform X, confirmed that the two Chinese captives were found with identification documents, including bank cards containing personal data.
The Ukrainian president added that the soldiers were captured during a battle in Donetsk, with Ukraine’s forces having fought six Chinese soldiers in total.
“We have information suggesting that there are many more Chinese citizens in the occupier’s units than just these two,” Zelensky said, reinforcing suspicions about China’s involvement in the conflict.
A video shared by Zelensky showed one of the detained soldiers in handcuffs, speaking Mandarin Chinese, and allegedly describing a recent battle.
Zelensky also took the opportunity to criticise Russia’s reliance on foreign soldiers, including China, and called for a response from the international community.
“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,” Zelensky stated.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the actions, stating that the presence of Chinese soldiers in Ukraine undermines China’s stance on peace.
He further added that Ukraine had summoned the Chinese chargé d’affaires in Kyiv to demand an explanation.
“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 X.
This incident has raised further suspicions about China’s role in the war, as Beijing has consistently denied supplying Russia with military equipment or supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
China, while being a close political and economic ally of Russia, has attempted to maintain a neutral stance, calling for peace talks but refraining from openly condemning Russia’s actions.
Meanwhile, the ongoing war has seen an increase in foreign fighters joining Russian forces, with North Korea also reportedly sending thousands of troops to support Russia.
Kyiv has previously claimed to have captured North Korean soldiers fighting in Russia’s war effort.
The war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022, has seen Russia seize around 20% of Ukrainian territory, predominantly in the eastern regions.
Despite Russian military gains, Ukrainian forces have continued to fight back, with support from the West and its NATO allies.
The investigation into the captured Chinese soldiers is ongoing, with Ukraine’s security service holding the prisoners in custody.
No immediate response has been given from Moscow or Beijing regarding the allegations.
