Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that two Chinese nationals have been captured by Ukrainian forces while allegedly fighting alongside Russian troops in the Donetsk region. The development marks a potential turning point in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and raises serious concerns over foreign involvement.
According to Zelensky, a total of six Chinese nationals were reportedly found fighting for the Russian military, with two of them taken into custody by Ukrainian forces. The captured individuals are currently being held by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) as intelligence agencies continue to assess the situation.
President Zelensky emphasized the gravity of the incident, stating that Ukrainian authorities possess official documents, including bank cards and personal data, belonging to the captured soldiers. He added that intelligence indicates the presence of additional Chinese nationals fighting on behalf of Russia in occupied Ukrainian territories.
“Our military captured two Chinese citizens who fought in the Russian army. This happened on the territory of Ukraine – in the Donetsk region,” Zelensky stated. “There are documents of these prisoners, bank cards, personal data. We have information that there are significantly more such Chinese citizens in the units of the occupier than two.”
Ukraine’s intelligence services, including the SBU and relevant military units, are continuing their investigation into the presence of Chinese personnel in Russian military ranks.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has since summoned the Chinese charge d’affaires to provide an official explanation following the detainment of the two Chinese nationals. No formal comment from Beijing has been issued thus far.
In a video shared by Zelensky, one of the captured individuals can be seen mimicking what appears to be the sound of a drone strike. The soldier, speaking with Ukrainian forces, imitates the sound with phrases such as, “Vroom vroom… boom boom boom boom boom… and then my commander…”
Zelensky characterized the discovery of Chinese fighters as a critical signal, stating that their involvement underscores Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intentions to prolong and expand the war. “Russia’s involvement, directly or indirectly, of China in this war in Europe is a clear signal that Putin is going to do anything but end the war,” Zelensky said. “He is looking for a way to continue the war. This definitely requires a reaction. A reaction from the United States, Europe, and everyone in the world who wants peace.”
While China remains one of Russia’s major geopolitical allies, the Chinese government has consistently denied allegations that it provides military support to Moscow in the conflict against Ukraine. If the captured individuals are verified as active-duty members of the Chinese military, it could mark a serious escalation in global involvement in the war.
However, officials caution that the presence of foreign fighters on the battlefield does not necessarily constitute direct intervention by their home countries. Foreign nationals from various states, including North Korea, have previously been found participating in the conflict.
Earlier in the year, Ukrainian forces reportedly captured two North Korean soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region. Ukrainian inspections revealed that the captured individuals had been given false Russian identities by the Kremlin. One of the captives carried an identification document listing him as Antonin Ayasovich Arankyn from Tuva, a republic bordering Mongolia. The ID stated he was a tailor by profession, single, and had completed secondary higher education. The second detainee had no documentation.
This deception was uncovered during postmortem inspections of North Korean combatants killed in action, as their physical features and non-Russian documentation raised suspicions among Ukrainian servicemen.
In a separate development, President Zelensky also confirmed for the first time that Ukrainian forces are operating inside Russia’s Belgorod region. The area has been under regular attack and sits near the Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops previously conducted surprise incursions. “We continue to conduct active operations in the border areas on the enemy’s territory, and this is absolutely right—the war must return to where it came from,” Zelensky said, referring to Russia.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer addressed the claims during a session with the Liaison Committee. He said he would consult with intelligence agencies and Ukrainian officials before making a formal statement. “I will obviously be taking intelligence and security advice on it. We will obviously be talking to the Ukrainians about it,” Starmer stated.
As investigations continue, the potential involvement of foreign state-backed fighters in the ongoing war could further complicate diplomatic efforts and raise the stakes in the already volatile conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
