Kyiv, Ukraine — Ukraine on Wednesday expanded on its explosive claim that a significant number of Chinese nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing war, saying it has gathered detailed intelligence on more than 150 alleged mercenaries recruited by Moscow through social media.
In response, Chinese officials dismissed the allegations as “totally unfounded.”
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The accusation and subsequent denial come amid heightened diplomatic efforts by the United States to broker a ceasefire in the war, now entering its fourth year.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed on Tuesday that two Chinese nationals had been captured while fighting with Russian troops on Ukrainian soil — the first time Kyiv has made such a claim. On Wednesday, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is willing to exchange the two prisoners of war for Ukrainian soldiers held in Russia.
While stopping short of accusing Beijing of directly authorizing the deployment, Zelenskyy claimed Chinese officials are aware of Moscow’s efforts to recruit Chinese fighters. He also said Ukrainian intelligence has identified 155 Chinese citizens allegedly serving in Russian ranks, complete with names and passport details.
“We believe there are many more,” Zelenskyy told reporters, presenting documents listing names, travel dates, and other personal information. The Associated Press has not independently verified the materials.
China has been one of Russia’s key diplomatic partners since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. While there is no public evidence that Beijing has sent troops or weapons, Western officials accuse China of supplying microelectronics, machinery, and other dual-use goods that support Russia’s war industry. China has also provided an economic lifeline through expanded trade in energy and consumer products.
U.S. officials have expressed concern. At a State Department briefing Tuesday, spokesperson Tammy Bruce called reports of Chinese fighters in Ukraine “disturbing,” adding, “China is a major enabler of Russia in this war,” and noting that Beijing provides “nearly 80% of the dual-use items Russia requires to sustain its military operations.”
President Donald Trump, who is seeking to deliver on his campaign promise to end the war, has yet to comment publicly on the Chinese mercenary claims. However, his envoy to Ukraine and Russia, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, urged caution.
“I’m not convinced yet that these individuals are anything more than mercenaries or volunteers,” Kellogg said during a panel at Georgetown University. “There’s an axiom in the military — the first report is always wrong. Let’s see how this plays out.”
Kellogg also noted that Ukraine itself has received support from international volunteers, including Americans. “This is not the same scale as North Korea’s deployment of thousands of troops to support Russia,” he added.
The European Union echoed U.S. concerns. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called China “the key enabler of Russia’s war.”
Meanwhile, fighting on the ground shows no sign of slowing. Ukraine’s air force reported intercepting 55 Shahed and decoy drones launched by Russia overnight. In Donetsk, a “massive drone attack” on the eastern city of Kramatorsk left an 11-year-old girl, her mother, and grandmother injured, according to regional governor Vadym Filashkin.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses downed 158 Ukrainian drones across 11 regions overnight. While it reported no casualties, several airports temporarily suspended flights, and some drones reached as far as the Orenburg region — nearly 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) east of the Ukrainian border.
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