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Ukraine Claims 150+ Chinese Fighters in Russian Army, Beijing Rejects Allegations, Says WSJ
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![Photo of Liubava Petriv]( "Photo of Liubava Petriv")
According to Ukrainian intelligence reports reviewed on April 9 by The Wall Street Journal, over 150 Chinese nationals have joined the Russian military to fight against Ukraine. However, a Western official suggested these individuals are likely mercenaries rather than state-sponsored forces.
China denied any military participation in Ukraine following Kyiv’s announcement that two Chinese nationals had been captured in the country’s eastern region. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated on April 9 that Beijing was in the process of verifying the situation with Ukrainian authorities.
“China is verifying the information with the Ukrainian side,” Lin said. “Let me stress that the Chinese government always asks Chinese nationals to stay away from areas of armed conflict, avoid any form of involvement in armed conflict, and in particular avoid participation in any party’s military operations.”
He also dismissed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s claim that additional Chinese nationals had enlisted with Russian forces, calling it unfounded.
“Such claim has no basis in facts. China’s position on the issue of the Ukraine crisis is very clear and is widely recognized by the international community. The Ukrainian side needs to view correctly China’s effort and constructive role for the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. As to your question on whether the two sides have communicated with each other, I have no information to offer on that,” Lin stated.
According to The WSJ, despite these denials, Ukrainian intelligence reports suggest otherwise. One document contains photographs and passports of 13 Chinese citizens reportedly recruited into a Russian military unit. Another report lists 168 names, along with birth dates, contract signing dates, and unit assignments. While most of these individuals are recorded as riflemen, some have been identified as drone operators, a role critical in modern warfare.
The WSJ highlights that the capture of Chinese nationals in East of Ukraine introduces an international dimension to Russia’s war against Ukraine, now in its third year. While Western nations, led by the United States, continue to support Ukraine with military aid, Russia has received military assistance from Iran and North Korea.
Ukrainian and Western sources claim that North Korea dispatched approximately 12,000 troops last year to support Russian forces in the Kursk region, an area where Ukraine had made territorial gains.
Although China maintains a stance of neutrality, it has bolstered Russia economically, refraining from directly providing military aid or troops. A Western official reiterated that the presence of Chinese nationals in Russian forces does not indicate state sponsorship, stating they are likely mercenaries motivated by financial incentives.
A Ukrainian military spokesperson revealed that one of the captured Chinese fighters had allegedly paid an intermediary in China around $3,500 to join the Russian army, with the promise of obtaining Russian citizenship. The man reportedly underwent training in temporarily occupied regions in East of Ukraine as part of a unit composed of Chinese recruits and later surrendered during combat after suffering losses.
President Zelenskyy emphasized the seriousness of the situation, highlighting the presence of Chinese fighters in Ukraine alongside North Korean forces in Russia’s Kursk region. He called for urgent discussions with international partners regarding these developments.
“I recognize Ukraine’s strength, but fighting simultaneously against multiple nations pursuing interests on our land is an immense challenge,” Zelenskyy stated, according to Ukrainian state media Ukrinform.
The US State Department labeled the involvement of Chinese nationals in the Russia’s war against Ukraine as deeply concerning.
Spokeswoman Tammy Bruce commented, “It’s disturbing, it’s disturbing with North Korea participating, it is disturbing with the Chinese soldiers having been captured,” adding, “China is a major enabler of Russia. In the war in Ukraine, China provides nearly 80% of the dual-use items Russia needs to sustain the war. 80% comes from China.”
On April 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed details about captured Chinese soldiers during a joint press conference with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in Kyiv.
