Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on April 8 that two Chinese nationals had been captured by Ukrainian forces while fighting alongside Russian troops in the ongoing war. The individuals were taken into custody following clashes near the villages of Tarasivka and Bilohorivka in Donetsk Oblast, an area of intense conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Zelensky revealed that the two are currently being held by Ukraine's Security Service and that authorities have obtained their personal documents, bank cards, and other identifying information. He emphasized that intelligence indicates the presence of more Chinese citizens within Russian military units operating in Ukraine.
In light of the incident, Zelensky directed Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha to urgently engage with Beijing to seek clarification and determine how Chinese authorities intend to respond. Ukraine also summoned China’s chargé d'affaires to officially protest and demand an explanation for the involvement of Chinese nationals in Russia’s war efforts.
“Chinese citizens fighting in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine contradicts China’s stated commitment to peace,” Sybiha said, warning that such involvement calls into question Beijing's credibility as a responsible permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. He voiced these concerns publicly on X (formerly Twitter).
During a press conference with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, Zelensky underscored that the participation of foreign nationals—including Chinese, North Korean, and Iranian individuals—demonstrates the Kremlin's unrelenting pursuit of aggression.
"There must be an international response to this—from the United States, Europe, and all those who value peace," Zelensky said, calling on global leaders to acknowledge and act upon the growing presence of foreign fighters in Russia’s ranks.
He drew a distinction between the involvement of different nations, noting that while North Korean forces were engaged in combat in the Kursk region of Russia, the Chinese nationals were found fighting directly on Ukrainian territory.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, China has deepened its strategic alliance with Moscow. It has become a vital trade partner and the largest supplier of dual-use goods—products that have both civilian and military applications—which are increasingly essential to Russia's weapons production.
This development follows reports from late 2024 that North Korea deployed up to 12,000 troops to Kursk Oblast to support Russian efforts against a Ukrainian cross-border offensive. At one point, Ukrainian forces had reclaimed approximately 1,300 square kilometers of territory, including the town of Sudzha, before being pushed back by a counteroffensive bolstered by North Korean reinforcements.
Zelensky stated that North Korean units have suffered approximately 4,000 casualties, with about two-thirds killed in combat. In response, Pyongyang reportedly sent an additional 3,000 troops to replenish their losses in early 2025, according to an Associated Press report from March 27.
The revelation of Chinese nationals on the battlefield adds a new layer of complexity to the international dimensions of the war and raises serious concerns about the expanding web of foreign involvement in Russia’s military campaign.
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