Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that Ukrainian forces had captured two Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian troops, and stated that Kyiv would demand an explanation from Beijing, as well as a response from its allies.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Moscow and Beijing have deepened their political, military, and economic cooperation.
“Our soldiers captured two Chinese citizens who were fighting in the Russian army. This happened in the Donetsk region, on Ukrainian territory,” Zelensky said in a social media post.
Our military has captured two Chinese citizens who were fighting as part of the Russian army. This happened on Ukrainian territory—in the Donetsk region. Identification documents, bank cards, and personal data were found in their possession.
We have information suggesting that… pic.twitter.com/ekBr6hCkQL
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 8, 2025
He added that Ukrainian authorities are in possession of the prisoners’ documents, bank cards, and personal information. The post also included a video showing one of the alleged Chinese fighters.
Neither Moscow nor Beijing has responded to the claims so far.
China has sought to position itself as a neutral party in the conflict, asserting that it has not provided lethal aid to either side, unlike the United States and other Western nations. However, its close political and economic ties with Russia have raised concerns among NATO members, who have labeled Beijing a “key enabler” of the invasion—one that China has never officially condemned.
U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his desire to bring the war, now more than three years long, to a swift end since taking office. Still, his administration has yet to make any significant progress, despite multiple rounds of negotiations.
“Many more” Chinese soldiers
Zelensky also claimed that Kyiv has evidence showing “many more Chinese citizens” are fighting alongside Russian forces. According to him, the capture of the two men is proof that Moscow is actively involving Beijing in the war.
“This is a clear signal that Putin is willing to do whatever it takes to avoid ending this war,” he said.
Zelensky went on to urge the United States, Europe, and all nations committed to global peace to respond to the development. “I believe the United States should pay closer attention to what is happening today,” he said at a press conference in Kyiv.
Ukraine has also called on its Western allies to respond to Russia’s deployment of thousands of North Korean troops in the western Russian region of Kursk, near the Ukrainian border.
Zelensky warned that Ukraine is struggling to hold its positions following a counteroffensive launched in that area last year.
“North Koreans fought against us in the Kursk region, and now the Chinese are fighting on Ukrainian soil. I believe this is an urgent matter we need to discuss with our partners,” he emphasized.
Despite the tensions, Kyiv has continued to seek stronger ties with China. Last year, then-Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba visited Beijing, and this week, Zelensky appointed a new Ukrainian ambassador to the Asian nation.
