Ukraine Captures Two Chinese Nationals Fighting for Russia in Donetsk

Image Credentials: Image Title: Ukraine Captures Two Chinese Nationals Fighting for Russia in Donetsk Source: AI-Generated Image (Grok, xAI) Date: April 2025 Attribution: Created by AI-generated imagery (Grok, xAI), and it does not depict a real-world scene.

By Staff Writer with Agencies

KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Monday that his forces have captured two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine. This marks the first official allegation that China is directly involved in Russia’s war effort, raising serious questions about Beijing’s declared stance of neutrality.

Zelensky revealed the capture in a statement on social media, where he stated that the two men were detained by Ukrainian forces and identified with documents that included bank cards containing personal data. The captives, who reportedly spoke Mandarin, were taken into custody after fighting alongside Russian troops.

🚨BREAKING: Ukraine Captures Two Chinese Nationals Fighting for Russia🚨

Ukrainian forces have captured two Chinese citizens fighting with Russian troops in Donetsk, complete with documents and personal info.

President Zelensky has ordered Ukraine’s Foreign Minister to… pic.twitter.com/VJTIMPNIt9

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) April 8, 2025

“We have information suggesting that there are many more Chinese citizens in the occupier’s units than just these two,” Zelensky said, further alleging that the number of Chinese soldiers in the Russian army was “much higher than two.”

The captured individuals were part of a larger group that included six Chinese nationals, of whom two were taken prisoner. A video posted by Zelensky showed one of the captives in handcuffs, speaking in Mandarin and seemingly recounting a recent battle.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the involvement of Chinese citizens in the war and summoned China’s chargé d’affaires in Kyiv for an explanation. Sybiha stressed that China’s involvement — whether direct or indirect — undermines its supposed commitment to peace.

“We strongly condemn Russia’s involvement of Chinese citizens in its war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as their participation in combat against Ukrainian forces,” Sybiha wrote on X. “This puts into question China’s declared stance for peace.”

The Ukrainian government has launched an investigation into the matter, and the captives are currently in the custody of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU).

The claim has raised alarms internationally. On Tuesday, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce described the reports as “disturbing,” labeling China as a “major enabler” of Russia’s war in Ukraine due to its supply of dual-use goods — such as navigation equipment, semiconductor chips, and jet parts — to Moscow.

This revelation is particularly significant because, despite its close political and economic ties with Russia, China has repeatedly denied supplying Moscow with military assistance. The discovery of Chinese nationals fighting on Ukrainian soil now complicates Beijing’s neutral position.

In addition to these two Chinese captives, North Korea has been reported to have sent thousands of soldiers to aid Russia’s war effort. However, Zelensky pointed out the key distinction between the two nations’ involvement: while North Korean soldiers have fought on the frontlines in Russian-held territory, the Chinese have now fought in Ukraine itself.

“North Koreans fought against us on the front in Kursk; the Chinese are fighting on the territory of Ukraine,” Zelensky said during a press conference Tuesday.

This revelation could have diplomatic repercussions for China, as it faces increasing pressure to explain its role in the ongoing conflict. Russia, under President Vladimir Putin, launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and ,as of now, controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory, primarily in the eastern and southern regions.

China and Russia have long enjoyed close relations, but Beijing has carefully navigated a position of neutrality in the war, calling for peace talks while continuing to support Moscow diplomatically and economically. However, the involvement of Chinese nationals in combat raises uncomfortable questions about the extent of Beijing’s role in Russia’s military activities.

With the capture of these two soldiers, the international community now faces growing concerns about the deepening ties between Russia and China, especially as Moscow continues its aggressive push on Ukraine’s eastern frontlines.