Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Beijing of failing to act as Russian forces enlist Chinese nationals to fight in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Zelenskyy’s remarks, made on Wednesday, have raised questions about China’s claimed neutrality in the war and could escalate tensions between Beijing and Western governments that have cautioned against supporting Russia.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukrainian intelligence has identified 155 Chinese nationals who have signed contracts with the Russian military to fight in Ukraine, with the president suggesting that the actual number is likely much higher. The Ukrainian leader emphasized that he believed China’s top officials were fully aware of Russia’s actions but had done nothing to prevent the recruitment of their citizens.
“These are facts. China’s top leaders are aware. They know,” Zelenskyy stated, adding that Chinese recruits had been promised lucrative salaries and had undergone medical examinations and military training before being deployed. The recruits, whose ages range from 19 to 56, are listed in military documents shared by Zelenskyy with media outlets such as Financial Times. The documents, allegedly obtained through Ukrainian intelligence, include detailed information about the recruits, including their military roles as riflemen, snipers, gunners, and reconnaissance soldiers, some even serving in drone units.
Zelenskyy also highlighted the recent capture of two Chinese fighters by Ukrainian forces in the eastern Donetsk region, where Russian troops have stepped up their offensive in recent weeks. The two men, aged 31 and 33, were reportedly the first Chinese citizens to be taken into custody during the conflict. Zelenskyy shared a video of one of the captured individuals, underscoring the growing involvement of Chinese nationals in the war.
While China’s Foreign Ministry has denied the Ukrainian claims, asserting that Chinese citizens should avoid involvement in armed conflict, it stopped short of offering a clear denial. Spokesperson Lin Jian stated that the ministry was “verifying the information” provided by Ukraine and encouraged the Ukrainian side to recognize China’s “constructive role” in efforts to settle the crisis politically.
The accusation comes as tensions between the U.S. and China continue to grow over Beijing’s growing ties with Moscow. U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce called the reports of Chinese citizens fighting in Ukraine “disturbing,” reiterating that Beijing is a “major enabler” of Russia’s war effort, particularly by supplying dual-use goods to Moscow. This ongoing support further complicates China’s position in global diplomacy regarding the conflict.
Ukrainian officials have also expressed concern about Beijing’s role, with Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha summoning China’s chargé d’affaires in Kyiv to demand an explanation. Sybiha described the participation of Chinese nationals as a “deeply concerning” development and a blow to trust in China’s position as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
While China continues to deny that its citizens are directly involved, Zelenskyy’s accusations are part of broader concerns about foreign involvement in the war. Ukrainian officials have previously highlighted the involvement of other foreign fighters, including mercenaries from Cuba, India, Yemen, and several African and Central Asian nations. Notably, Iran has been supplying military equipment to Russia, and North Korea has sent over 11,000 troops to fight alongside Russian forces, although they have not crossed into Ukrainian territory.
