- Ukraine alleges that it captured two Chinese nationals and says there are at least 150 more fighting with the Russian military. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says this would amount to a Russian expansion of the war.
- China says it is trying to confirm the capture but says the allegations of more Chinese citizens fighting alongside Russia are not based in fact.
- The United States says Chinese involvement would amount to a concerning escalation.
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One day after revealing that it captured two Chinese citizens fighting in the Russian army, Ukrainian intelligence reports indicate that more than 150 Chinese nationals have joined the Russian military. If true, this would mark a greater involvement than previously known.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted about the involvement on X, proclaiming, “Ukraine believes that such blatant involvement of Chinese citizens in hostilities… is a deliberate step towards the expansion of war, and is yet another indication that Moscow simply wants to drag out the fighting.”
What is China’s reaction?
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry says that China is trying to confirm the capture of two of its citizens, but the ministry refuted Zelenskyy’s assertion that more Chinese nationals have joined the fight.
China says it is neutral in the war between Russia and Ukraine. While it has supported Russia economically, it is not believed to have provided troops or direct military equipment to the Russian military. One official told the Journal that the captured men were likely mercenaries, and that their fighting was likely not sponsored by China.
Has the United States responded?
For its part, the U.S. National Security Council said it cannot confirm the public reporting of the Chinese involvement. However, spokesman Brian Hughes said it would be a concerning escalation if the Chinese government allowed its citizens to fight on the Russian side.
One Chinese captive reportedly told the Ukrainians that he paid an intermediary in China more than $3,000 to join the Russian army in exchange for Russian citizenship. He was part of a fighting group that came under attack and surrendered in eastern Ukraine.
Russia is already receiving assistance from North Korea. Late last year, the country sent about 12,000 soldiers to help defend Russian territory in the Kursk region.
What about US efforts to end the war?
All of this comes at a time when the Trump administration is trying to broker an end to the war. Russia has so far been unwilling to compromise, while pressing forward with gains on the battlefield. Ukraine, meanwhile, has agreed to the American proposal for a ceasefire.
