Zelenskyy Claims Over 150 Chinese Citizens Fighting with Russian Army in Ukraine

In a stark escalation of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that over 150 Chinese citizens are reportedly fighting alongside the Russian army. This revelation comes as Russian forces amass on the border of Ukraine, signaling a potential huge spring offensive. In his nightly address, Zelenskyy described the involvement of Chinese citizens in the war as a significant escalation and called for a strong response from the United States and its allies.

China's Potential Involvement in the Ukraine Conflict

Zelenskyy's assertion raises concerns about the potential involvement of the Chinese government in the conflict. If the Chinese government is indeed aware of the deployment of its citizens, it would mark a significant shift in international dynamics, positioning China as the second country, following North Korea, to send military personnel to support Russia's efforts to annex Ukraine.

Intensified Russian Offensive in Eastern Ukraine

As these developments unfold, Ukrainian military chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that a new Russian offensive has commenced in eastern Ukraine. He indicated that Russian forces have intensified assaults in all major directions, particularly in the eastern Sumy and Kharkiv regions. This renewed offensive raises questions about the seriousness of diplomatic efforts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, particularly in light of the recent diplomatic visit by a senior Kremlin official to Washington.

China's Response to Allegations

In response to Zelenskyy's claims, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian urged Chinese citizens to refrain from participating in armed conflict. Lin emphasized that China was not a party to the war and expressed support for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. However, the accusation of Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian forces was dismissed by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, labeling it as lacking factual basis.

Captured Chinese Nationals and Recruitment Efforts

Zelenskyy disclosed that Ukrainian forces had captured two Chinese citizens allegedly fighting with the Russian army in the Donetsk region. He stated that the captured individuals were found with personal documents, including bank cards, and he suggested that there were significantly more Chinese citizens involved. Ukraine also reported that Russian efforts were targeting Chinese soldiers through social media platforms, indicating a concerted attempt to recruit foreign fighters for the conflict.