By IWAN STONE

Published: 09:00 BST, 10 April 2025 | Updated: 09:00 BST, 10 April 2025

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Beijing is allowing Putin to recruit Chinese soldiers to fight against Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed. The Ukranian President says that 155 have already signed to to battle in Moscow's forces, after revealing that his country's forces have captured two Chinese men fighting for the invading power.

Beijing is allowing Putin to recruit Chinese soldiers to fight against Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed. The Ukranian President says that 155 have already signed to to battle in Moscow’s forces, after revealing that his country’s forces have captured two Chinese men fighting for the invading power.

He told reporters in Kyiv that Russia was recruiting Chinese citizens via social media and that the country's officials were aware of that. The war leader added that Ukraine was trying to assess whether the recruits were receiving instructions from Beijing. 'The 'Chinese' issue is serious. There are 155 people with names and passport details who are fighting against Ukrainians on the territory of Ukraine,' Zelensky told journalists during a briefing in Kyiv. 'Beijing is aware of this.' Yesterday, Zelensky said Ukraine had information that there were 'significantly more Chinese citizens' still among the Russian ranks, adding: 'We are currently clarifying all the facts.' Zelensky instructed his foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, to contact Beijing 'and find out how China is going to react to this'.

He told reporters in Kyiv that Russia was recruiting Chinese citizens via social media and that the country’s officials were aware of that. The war leader added that Ukraine was trying to assess whether the recruits were receiving instructions from Beijing. ‘The ‘Chinese’ issue is serious. There are 155 people with names and passport details who are fighting against Ukrainians on the territory of Ukraine,’ Zelensky told journalists during a briefing in Kyiv. ‘Beijing is aware of this.’ Yesterday, Zelensky said Ukraine had information that there were ‘significantly more Chinese citizens’ still among the Russian ranks, adding: ‘We are currently clarifying all the facts.’ Zelensky instructed his foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, to contact Beijing ‘and find out how China is going to react to this’.

Sybiha said that Ukraine had summoned China's charge d'affaires after Kyiv to the Foreign Ministry to demand an explanation. In a damning admission, he added that the presence of Chinese nationals fighting for Russia 'puts into question China's declared stance for peace'. Beijing has hit back at the declaration, calling the claims 'totally unfounded' amid fears the row could upend already fragile peace talks. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a press conference it was 'absolutely groundless' to suggest many Chinese citizens were fighting in Ukraine. 'The Chinese government has always asked its citizens to stay away from areas of armed conflict (and) avoid involvement in armed conflicts in any form,' he said. He added that Beijing was verifying relevant information with Kyiv. The Kremlin declined to comment on the matter.

Sybiha said that Ukraine had summoned China’s charge d’affaires after Kyiv to the Foreign Ministry to demand an explanation. In a damning admission, he added that the presence of Chinese nationals fighting for Russia ‘puts into question China’s declared stance for peace’. Beijing has hit back at the declaration, calling the claims ‘totally unfounded’ amid fears the row could upend already fragile peace talks. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a press conference it was ‘absolutely groundless’ to suggest many Chinese citizens were fighting in Ukraine. ‘The Chinese government has always asked its citizens to stay away from areas of armed conflict (and) avoid involvement in armed conflicts in any form,’ he said. He added that Beijing was verifying relevant information with Kyiv. The Kremlin declined to comment on the matter.

The use of Chinese soldiers to bolster Russia's war effort could threaten to upend the delicate status quo. Beijing proclaims to be neutral, but maintains close economic and political ties with Moscow. NATO members have branded Beijing a 'decisive enabler' of Moscow's invasion, which it has never condemned. After Chinese nationals were captured yesterday, Philip Ingram MBE, retired British Army colonel and military intelligence specialist, told MailOnline: 'I am not surprised Chinese nationals have been captured. 'Whilst China won't be formally providing troops to Russia they won't discourage individuals wanting to join. 'They will probably be sending liaison staff and special forces to gain combat experience but in as deniable a way as possible.'

The use of Chinese soldiers to bolster Russia’s war effort could threaten to upend the delicate status quo. Beijing proclaims to be neutral, but maintains close economic and political ties with Moscow. NATO members have branded Beijing a ‘decisive enabler’ of Moscow’s invasion, which it has never condemned. After Chinese nationals were captured yesterday, Philip Ingram MBE, retired British Army colonel and military intelligence specialist, told MailOnline: ‘I am not surprised Chinese nationals have been captured. ‘Whilst China won’t be formally providing troops to Russia they won’t discourage individuals wanting to join. ‘They will probably be sending liaison staff and special forces to gain combat experience but in as deniable a way as possible.’

In recent weeks, unconfirmed reports have claimed Chinese nationals have been fighting for Russia in Ukraine. Radio Free Europe quoted one Chinese national in February, who 'confirmed to us that he had been fighting in Russia but had already returned home', correspondent Mark Krutov said. While foreign volunteers have participated on both sides of the conflict, Russia has been accused of leveraging its relationships to field massive foreign contingents. Russia was last year accused of drawing in some 12,000 North Korean troops after Ukraine launched a stunning counteroffensive into Kursk and Belgorod. Hundreds of Yemeni mercenaries were then claimed to have been press-ganged into fighting for Russia in Ukraine, having been lured in with the promise of well-paid work and Russian citizenship.

In recent weeks, unconfirmed reports have claimed Chinese nationals have been fighting for Russia in Ukraine. Radio Free Europe quoted one Chinese national in February, who ‘confirmed to us that he had been fighting in Russia but had already returned home’, correspondent Mark Krutov said. While foreign volunteers have participated on both sides of the conflict, Russia has been accused of leveraging its relationships to field massive foreign contingents. Russia was last year accused of drawing in some 12,000 North Korean troops after Ukraine launched a stunning counteroffensive into Kursk and Belgorod. Hundreds of Yemeni mercenaries were then claimed to have been press-ganged into fighting for Russia in Ukraine, having been lured in with the promise of well-paid work and Russian citizenship.

Some said they were tricked into joining after signing enlistment contracts they could not read, and were told they would be working in lucrative fields like engineering. When they arrived in Russia, a recruit said a man fired a pistol above their heads and ordered them to sign a contract before they were taken to Ukraine on buses. Nepal and Sri Lanka also had to warn their people not to be lured in by false promises as it emerged hundreds of their citizens had joined the Russian invasion as mercenaries.

Some said they were tricked into joining after signing enlistment contracts they could not read, and were told they would be working in lucrative fields like engineering. When they arrived in Russia, a recruit said a man fired a pistol above their heads and ordered them to sign a contract before they were taken to Ukraine on buses. Nepal and Sri Lanka also had to warn their people not to be lured in by false promises as it emerged hundreds of their citizens had joined the Russian invasion as mercenaries.

The use of a 'significant' Chinese force in Ukraine could set back ongoing peace talks mediated by the United States to bring a lasting resolution to the conflict. Donald Trump has been pushing for a speedy end to the more than three-year war since taking office but his administration has failed to reach a breakthrough despite rounds of negotiations. Kyiv has repeatedly urged Beijing to pressure Moscow to end its invasion that has cost tens of thousands of lives and yet still so far failed to see the Kremlin achieve its core objectives.

The use of a ‘significant’ Chinese force in Ukraine could set back ongoing peace talks mediated by the United States to bring a lasting resolution to the conflict. Donald Trump has been pushing for a speedy end to the more than three-year war since taking office but his administration has failed to reach a breakthrough despite rounds of negotiations. Kyiv has repeatedly urged Beijing to pressure Moscow to end its invasion that has cost tens of thousands of lives and yet still so far failed to see the Kremlin achieve its core objectives.

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Beijing is allowing Putin to recruit Chinese soldiers to fight Ukraine



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