Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that Ukrainian forces captured two Chinese nationals believed to be fighting for Russia in eastern Ukraine. Zelenskyy posted footage of one of the captured men on social media platform X, adding that Kiev has information suggesting these men are not the only Chinese soldiers in Russian units.
While Beijing and Moscow are close allies and China has been supplying Russia with materials such as jet parts and navigational equipment, they have not directly assisted Russia militarily. The development calls into question China’s proclaimed support for a peaceful end to the Russo-Ukrainian War.
Zelenskyy said that involving China and other countries in this war clearly shows that Putin “intends to do anything but end the war.” He called on the United States, Europe, and other members of the international community who want peace, to respond.
The Security Service of Ukraine has taken the two Chinese citizens into custody and investigations are ongoing.