China has denied sending troops to fight for Russia’s forces in Ukraine, following claims by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Chinese nationals were captured fighting for Moscow. The claim comes as tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to escalate.
According to news reports, Ukrainian authorities have released footage showing six Chinese fighters, with two of them being identified as serving in Russian military units. However, China’s Foreign Ministry has insisted that its citizens are not involved in the conflict.
The allegations raise concerns about escalation in the war, which has already seen thousands of soldiers from North Korea and other countries involved. China’s diplomatic support for Russia has been a key factor in its decision to provide economic aid and military equipment to Moscow.
While some analysts believe that the Chinese nationals may have been mercenaries or volunteers, others argue that their involvement is not as significant as previously thought. Viktor Kovalenko, an analyst and Ukrainian military veteran, said that even if there are 150 Chinese citizens fighting for Russia, it does not compare to the number of North Korean soldiers involved.
The situation highlights the complexities of international involvement in the conflict and the challenges of determining whether countries are directly or indirectly supporting each other’s actions. As tensions continue to rise, it remains to be seen how China will respond to these allegations.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/chinese-soldiers-quietly-creep-russia-ukraine-war-2058954