Tessa Won
BBC News, Asia Digital Reporter
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Passports of the two captured Chinese citizens were on display in a video shared by Zelensky
Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelensky says at least 155 Chinese people are fighting for Russia in the war.
His comments come after two Chinese fighters were captured earlier this week – showing Kiev’s first official allegations that China is supplying Russia with talent.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Zelensky reiterated his claim that there are “more” Chinese citizens engaged in the conflict, based on information collected by the government.
In response on Thursday, a Chinese government spokesman said he would “advise relevant parties to properly understand China’s role and not to make irresponsible remarks.”
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Two captured Chinese citizens were also seen talking in a video shared by Zelensky
“China is not the creator or political party of the Ukrainian crisis. We are solid supporters and active promoters of the peaceful resolution of the crisis,” said Lin Jiang, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He repeated his previous comments that appear to suggest that Chinese soldiers fighting for Russia do so in their private abilities.
Lin said that China has always called for its citizens to leave the armed conflict zone and not engage in any form of armed conflict, particularly to avoid participating in military operations by any party.
Beijing previously denied that many of its citizens were fighting for Russia, saying the claims were “basic of facts.”
Earlier this week, Zelensky said his forces fought six Chinese soldiers in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine and took two prisoners. Russia declined to comment on the revelation.
On Wednesday, Zelensky told reporters, “The Chinese issue is serious.”
“There are 155 people with surnames and have passport data — there are 155 Chinese people fighting Ukrainians on Ukrainian territory,” he said.
He added that Russia is recruiting Chinese people on social media and “official Beijing knows this.”
According to Zelensky, the alleged recruits will receive training in Moscow and then be sent to the battlefield of Ukraine for transition documents and payments.
He also released a video on X for what appears to be interrogation of two captured Chinese soldiers.
Speaking in Chinese, the soldiers explained their background and how they were captured.
One of them said that was his “first time in combat in service.” I had never even fired a gun before this.” He added that he was captured along with Russian soldiers.
Other mentions were in the group that included two other Chinese soldiers before he was separated in Chaos. “Everyone has broken up, I don’t know if they’re dead,” he said.
He said he eventually surrendered along with Russian soldiers.
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He sought responses from the United States and the rest of the world.
Washington said reports that China is fighting for Russia are “intrusive.”
Ukraine has questioned China’s declared neutral stance in the past. Zelensky previously argued that Beijing had urged the country to supply “elements that are part of Russia’s weapons” and to maintain a “consistent” position.
China is accused by the US of helping Russia create more munitions, armored vehicles and missiles. It is also being scrutinized to enable commercial and military use dual-use technologies such as computer chips and drones to be exported to Russia.
Beijing and Moscow are close political and economic allies, but China has repeatedly denied supplying Russia with military equipment, seeking to present its position as a neutral party in the conflict.
It defended trade with Moscow, saying it did not sell deadly weapons and “carefully handled the export of double-used items in accordance with laws and regulations.”
Allegations about Chinese soldiers fighting for Russia captured two North Korean soldiers injured in Russia’s Kursk Oblast.
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