Chinese soldiers found fighting for Russia in Ukraine, Zelensky says
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, revealed that at least 155 Chinese soldiers are fighting on Russia's side. According to him, the authorities in Beijing are aware of the recruitment of their citizens by Moscow.
What do you need to know?
- President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that at least 155 Chinese soldiers are fighting on Russia's side against Ukraine.
- The authorities in Beijing are aware that Moscow is recruiting Chinese citizens to fight in Ukraine.
- The Ukrainian army has captured two Chinese nationals who were fighting in the Donetsk region.
What evidence is there of the presence of Chinese soldiers?
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the Ukrainian army captured two Chinese nationals fighting on Russia's side in the Donetsk region. This event confirms earlier reports of Chinese soldiers being present within the ranks of Russian armed forces.
Zelensky also conveyed that Ukrainian intelligence knows the identities of 155 other Chinese who are fighting for Russia. He does not rule out that there may be more.
Will Beijing take action?
Zelensky stressed that the Chinese authorities must be aware of this situation. The Russians are recruiting Chinese individuals through social networks, including TikTok.
Zelensky explained that the recruited Chinese then travel to Moscow, where they undergo medical examinations lasting 3 to 4 days, and are then sent for a 1 to 2-month stay in training centers.
- They are fighting on the territory of Ukraine. They receive migration cards, as well as [Russian] Mir payment system cards, on which they receive money - added the President of Ukraine.
What are the consequences for Ukraine?
On Wednesday, Ukrainian media reported the information about Chinese citizens fighting on Russia's side. "A Chinese national captured by Ukrainian forces said he paid 300,000 rubles (roughly $3,500) to a middleman in China to join the Russian military in exchange for the promise of citizenship" - wrote the Ukrayinska Pravda portal, citing the Ukrainian unit that apprehended the Chinese national.
"His motivation was the promise of Russian citizenship. He underwent military training in occupied Luhansk Oblast, where he had no interpreter, relying instead on gestures and a phone to communicate" – explained the portal.
On Wednesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Lin Jian, when asked about the capture in Ukraine of two Chinese nationals fighting on Russia's side, stated that they are being verified.
- The Chinese government has always asked its citizens to stay away from areas of armed conflict and avoid involvement in any form - Lin said during a regular press briefing.
