Ukraine Now Says It Has Identified Over 150 Chinese Citizens Fighting For Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that two Chinese citizens were captured in the country while fighting for Russia. Now he is claiming that local intelligence determined the figure is much higher, exceeding 150.

In a press briefing, Zelensky said the Chinese nationals had been recruited through advertisements, including on social media. An intelligence document reported by CNN details a list with the 155 Chinese citizens identified while serving in the Russian armed forces.

"We are collecting information and we believe that there are more, many more," Zelensky claimed. "These people arrive to the Russian Federation, to Moscow. Medical examinations last three to four days. Training centers are for one to two months. They fight on the territory of Ukraine," he added.

The Ukrainian president said Beijing is aware of the recruiting efforts, but a spokesperson for the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected the allegations, calling them "groundless."

"It is important to emphasize that the Chinese government has always instructed its citizens to stay away from areas of armed conflict and avoid getting involved in the conflict in any form, especially avoiding participation in any party's military operations," Lin Jian said in a press conference.

Zelensky has instructed the country's foreign minister to "immediately contact Beijing and clarify how China intends to respond to this." Foreign minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed that China's chargé d'affaires has been summoned to discuss the matter.

CNN detailed that China has given Russia material support, including machinery, drone and turbojet engines and technology for cruise missiles, among others. However, it never said it was sending troops or citizens to fight for Moscow. Kyiv and Western countries have also claimed that North Korea has sent troops to fight for Russia. The two countries also signed a mutual defense agreement.

Volunteers from different countries have also joined Ukrainian ranks against the advice of their governments, including from the United States and the United Kingdom, among others.