Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the capture of two Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian forces in Donetsk, igniting international controversy and challenging China’s declared neutrality in the ongoing conflict.
At a Glance
- Two Chinese nationals were captured by Ukrainian forces in Donetsk while allegedly fighting for Russia
- China denies any involvement, calling the allegations “absolutely groundless”
- Ukraine claims more than 150 Chinese mercenaries are participating in the war
- The episode raises concerns over China’s claimed neutrality and its ties to Russia
Chinese Nationals Captured in Donetsk
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed this week that his military detained two Chinese nationals fighting with Russian forces in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. According to Zelenskyy, the captured individuals had personal identification and were taken during combat operations on Ukrainian territory. The announcement has stirred immediate diplomatic tensions and questions over who else Russia may be recruiting into its war machine, as detailed in a report by Al Jazeera.
Watch Al Jazeera’s full report on the battlefield captures.
China’s Response and Denial
Beijing responded swiftly and firmly to the accusations. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian labeled the claims “absolutely groundless” and reiterated that the Chinese government discourages its citizens from participating in armed conflicts abroad. In his words, “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,” according to Al Jazeera.
China’s repeated emphasis on neutrality, however, is being increasingly scrutinized as its political and economic relationship with Russia deepens, especially amid ongoing Western sanctions.
Allegations of Broader Recruitment
Zelenskyy’s concerns go beyond the capture of just two individuals. In remarks made public through Ukrainian and international outlets, he accused Russia of recruiting over 150 Chinese fighters to serve on its front lines. “This is the second mistake for Russia. The first was North Korea. They drag other countries into war. I believe that they are now dragging China into this war,” he said, as reported by Insider Paper.
Such claims echo earlier concerns about North Korean involvement and suggest that Moscow is actively seeking to internationalize the conflict—possibly to prolong it or confuse global responses.
Global Diplomacy and the Risk of Escalation
These developments have sparked alarm within international diplomatic circles. The United States labeled the reports “disturbing,” with State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce suggesting that any confirmed involvement of Chinese fighters would further undermine China’s position as a neutral actor. The New York Times notes that peace talks could be jeopardized if more evidence of foreign fighters emerges.
Ukraine has summoned China’s top envoy in Kyiv to explain the situation. Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha criticized the alleged involvement as a direct contradiction to Beijing’s stated commitment to peace. “Chinese citizens fighting as part of Russia’s invasion army in Ukraine puts into question China’s declared stance for peace,” he said.
The incident may mark a pivotal moment in the war’s evolution, where global allegiances and rivalries risk reshaping a conflict that has already reached far beyond Europe’s borders.
