Beijing has dismissed as “totally unfounded” Ukraine’s assertion that numerous Chinese citizens are fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing conflict.
President Zelenskyy of Ukraine stated on Tuesday that Ukrainian forces had apprehended two Chinese nationals fighting with the Russian army in the Donetsk region. He also claimed to possess intelligence indicating a “significantly more” presence of Chinese individuals within Russian ranks.
This marks the first instance of Ukraine alleging the presence of Chinese fighters on its territory since the commencement of Russia’s invasion nearly three years ago.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated in Beijing that China is committed to “constructively resolving the Ukraine crisis politically.”
During a press briefing on Wednesday, Lin stated that “the Chinese government consistently urges its citizens to avoid conflict zones, abstain from engaging in any form of armed conflict, and particularly refrain from participating in military operations of any party involved.”
His remarks suggest that the captured Chinese individuals joined the Russian forces independently.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, China has offered strong diplomatic backing to Russia. Additionally, Beijing has provided economic support through trade in energy and consumer goods, but it has not intentionally supplied Russia with troops, weaponry, or military expertise.
China presented a vague peace proposal that was quickly rejected by most observers.
Previously, both Ukraine and the United States have reported that thousands of North Korean soldiers are assisting Russia under an agreement between the Kremlin and Pyongyang.
Both Russia and Ukraine permit foreign soldiers to enlist in their respective armies.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated at a briefing in Washington on Tuesday that the U.S. is “aware” of reports regarding the capture of Chinese citizens fighting for Russia in Ukraine, deeming them “disturbing.”
Bruce asserted that “China plays a major role in enabling Russia’s war in Ukraine,” and that China provides almost 80% of the dual-use items Russia needs to sustain the war.
Tensions between Washington and Beijing have increased in recent years due to disputes over trade, technology, and geopolitical influence.
The Kremlin has essentially rejected a U.S. proposal for an immediate and complete 30-day cessation of hostilities in Ukraine, while the Kyiv government has agreed to it. Both sides are reportedly preparing for spring-summer military offensives.
Meanwhile, both nations are engaged in a war of attrition along the approximately 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, targeting each other with long-range attacks.
Vadym Filashkin, the regional head, reported that the city of Kramatorsk in eastern Donetsk, Ukraine, suffered a “massive drone attack” overnight, resulting in injuries to an 11-year-old girl, her mother, and her grandmother.
The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched 55 Shahed and decoy drones at the country overnight.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that air defenses intercepted 158 Ukrainian drones over 11 Russian regions overnight, with no reported casualties or damage.
However, several Russian regions temporarily suspended flights at their airports due to the attack, and the Defense Ministry stated that some Ukrainian drones reached Russia’s Orenburg region in the southern Urals, approximately 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) east of the Ukrainian border.
—Christopher Bodeen contributed from Taipei, Taiwan.
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