Zelenskiy reports that Chinese citizens have been detained while fighting for Russia in Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on Tuesday that Ukrainian forces have apprehended two Chinese nationals who were reportedly fighting for Russia in eastern Ukraine, a development that could jeopardize ongoing peace efforts in the three-year conflict.

While Beijing maintains a close diplomatic relationship with Moscow, it has not been publicly acknowledged as having directly supported the Kremlin’s large-scale invasion, which U.S. President Donald Trump aims to bring to a swift conclusion.

In a post on X, accompanied by a video of one of the captured individuals, Zelenskiy indicated that Kyiv possesses “information suggesting that there are many more Chinese citizens” involved in the conflict. He did not clarify whether Ukraine believes these individuals were acting under directives from Beijing.

He remarked, “Russia’s engagement of China, along with other nations, whether directly or indirectly, in this European war is a clear indication that Putin is not interested in ending the conflict.”

Andriy Kovalenko, a member of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, referred to the captured individuals as “mercenaries” in a social media post but did not provide further details.

Since its invasion in February 2022, Russia has utilized Iranian drones and North Korean missiles and artillery. Kyiv has also reported that North Korean troops have been deployed to engage Ukrainian forces in parts of Russia’s western Kursk region, where Ukraine conducted a rapid incursion last summer.

Zelenskiy noted in a joint briefing in Kyiv with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, “However, there is a distinction: the North Koreans were fighting on the Kursk front against us, while the Chinese are engaged on Ukrainian territory.”

Russia has not yet made any public statements regarding Zelenskiy’s assertion about Chinese fighters, nor has it confirmed the involvement of North Korean troops in the Kursk region.

Zelenskiy, who mentioned that the individuals were in possession of documents verifying their identities, expressed to reporters his hope that their capture would encourage the U.S. to adopt a firmer approach towards Russia in the ongoing peace negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.

In recent weeks, U.S. and Russian officials have participated in bilateral discussions, which have drawn criticism from Ukraine, as there are concerns about the Trump administration’s accommodating attitude towards the Kremlin.

“I believe the U.S. should focus more on the current situation,” Zelenskiy stated, noting that Ukrainian forces had encountered a total of six Chinese fighters. “We sincerely hope that this incident will lead to increased dialogue between Americans and Ukrainians, followed by discussions with the Russians.”

In a separate announcement, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha revealed that Kyiv had summoned China’s chargé d’affaires in Ukraine to express condemnation of the situation and seek clarification. China, which established a “no limits” strategic partnership with Russia just days before the invasion, has indicated its willingness to assist in resolving the conflict in Ukraine.