Zelensky Claims Chinese Mercenaries Fighting For Russia In Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has alleged that Chinese mercenaries are fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing war in Ukraine, a claim that could escalate tensions between Kyiv and Beijing. The statement, made during a frontline visit to the Kharkiv region on Monday, marks a significant accusation amid the conflict, now in its fourth year.
Zelensky reported that Ukrainian troops observed foreign mercenaries, including individuals from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and several African countries, participating on the Russian side. “We will respond,” he vowed, without elaborating on specific actions. He added that Ukrainian intelligence has identified 155 Chinese nationals fighting in Ukraine, with two captured in the Donetsk region in April 2025. The captives, identified as Wang Guanjung and Zhang Renbo, were found with identification documents and bank cards, and are being held by Ukraine’s security service.
The Ukrainian leader suggested that Russia is recruiting Chinese nationals through social media, a practice he described as evidence of Moscow’s intent to prolong the war rather than seek peace. “Russia’s involvement of China, directly or indirectly, in this war in Europe is a clear signal that Putin is going to do anything but end the war,” Zelensky stated during a press conference alongside Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever. He has instructed Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, to demand an explanation from Beijing.
China’s Foreign Ministry has dismissed the allegations as “groundless,” with spokesperson Lin Jian stating that Beijing is verifying the situation but maintains a policy urging its citizens to avoid conflict zones. “China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is clear and widely recognised. We have always asked our nationals to steer clear of armed conflicts,” Lin said at a press briefing. Beijing has not confirmed the presence of its citizens in Ukraine but suggested that any involvement would be in a private capacity, not state-sponsored.
The claims have stirred international concern. The U.S. State Department called the reports “disturbing,” noting that China’s supply of dual-use goods, such as navigation equipment and semiconductor chips, makes it a “major enabler” of Russia’s war effort. Dutch politician Jan Paternotte, commenting on social media, described the presence of Chinese fighters as “unacceptable,” urging Europe to respond.
Zelensky’s accusations come at a critical juncture, as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes for a ceasefire to end the conflict. The presence of Chinese nationals, if confirmed, could complicate peace negotiations, especially given Beijing’s “no-limits” partnership with Moscow, announced in February 2022. Unlike North Korea, which has sent troops to fight in Russia’s Kursk region, there is no evidence that China is officially deploying soldiers. However, reports of Chinese mercenaries have circulated since March 2024, with Russian war bloggers and social media accounts documenting their involvement.
The captured Chinese nationals, Wang and Zhang, claimed they joined voluntarily, lured by financial incentives. Wang cited a TikTok advertisement offering a high salary, while Zhang said he was recruited after arriving in Russia for construction work. Both expressed regret and a desire to return to China, denying any ties to Beijing’s government.
As Ukraine continues to face Russian advances in the east, Zelensky’s remarks highlight the growing complexity of the conflict, with foreign fighters adding a new dimension to the war. The international community now awaits China’s response, as Kyiv presses for accountability and a stronger reaction from its Western allies.