Ukraine captures two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia

 

Ukrainian forces have captured two Chinese nationals who were fighting for the Russian army in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

He said on Tuesday that intelligence suggested the number of Chinese soldiers in Russia's army was "much higher than two".

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Chinese troops fighting on Ukrainian territory "puts into question China's declared stance for peace" and added that their envoy in Kyiv was summoned for an explanation320x50_1 Iframe sync

It is the first official allegation from Ukraine that China is supplying Russia with manpower. Russia declined to comment on Zelensky's

US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce called the reports "disturbing".

She added that China is a "major enabler" of Russia's war in Ukraine, citing its supply of dual-use goods such as navigation equipment, semiconductor chips and jet parts.

Ukraine's foreign minister said that he had summoned China's chargé d'affaires in Kyiv to "demand an explanation".

Writing on X, Andrii Sybiha said: "We strongly condemn Russia's involvement of Chinese citizens in its war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as their participation in combat against Ukrainian forces."

He added that the move "puts into question China's declared stance for peace" and undermines Beijing's credibility as a member of the UN Security Council320x50_1 Iframe sync

French newspaper Le Monde has previously reported that it identified around 40 accounts on TikTok's sister app, Douyin - which is only available in China - belonging to Chinese individuals who claim to have signed up with the Russian army.

North Korea has sent thousands of troops to aid Russia's war effort against Ukraine, according to Kyiv and Western officials.