Ukraine has captured two Chinese nationals who were fighting for the Russian army in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The soldiers were taken into custody with identification documents and bank cards that had personal data on them.
Zelensky stated that intelligence suggests there are “many more Chinese citizens” in Russia’s army than just these two. He also accused Russia of using Chinese manpower, putting China’s stance for peace into question.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has summoned China’s chargé d’affaires in Kyiv to demand an explanation for the soldiers’ involvement with Russia. The US State Department has also called the reports “disturbing,” stating that China is a major enabler of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
China has previously denied supplying Russia with military equipment, but French newspaper Le Monde reported finding around 40 accounts on TikTok belonging to Chinese individuals who claim to have signed up with the Russian army. Ukrainian President Zelensky noted that there is a difference between North Korean troops and Chinese soldiers, as North Koreans fought against Ukraine in Kursk.
This marks the first official allegation from Ukraine that China is supplying Russia with manpower. The captives are currently being held by Ukraine’s security service.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2vg1x7g32o