The U.S. State Department has expressed concern over reports that two Chinese nationals were captured while fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, calling China a “major enabler” of Moscow’s ongoing war.
The incident, if confirmed, could further strain relations between Washington, Kyiv, and Beijing.
Why It Matters?
Although China Has Denied Supporting Russia’s Military Campaign, It Maintains Robust Trade Ties with Moscow, Including the Provision of Dual-Use Goods—items with Civilian Purposes that Can Be Repurposed for Military Use.
NATO has Previously Labeled China a “decisive Enabler” of Russia’s War Machine, pointing to the “no Limits” Partnership Beijing signed with Moscow Shortly Before the 2022 Invasion.
Oleksandr Merezhko, Chairman of Ukraine’s Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee and An Ally of President Volodymyr Zelensky, noted that while China Had Previously Avoided Crossing Certain “red Lines,” the Presence of Chinese Nationals in Active Combat Zones comes Very Close to Complicity in Russian Aggression.
What Do We Know So Far?
President Zelensky Announced on Tuesday that Ukrainian Forces Had Engaged Six Chinese Individuals Near the Embattled Villages of Tarasivka and Bilohorivka in Eastern Donetsk, Capturing Two of Them.
He Stated the Captured Individuals Had Identification, Passports, and Even Credit Cards Indicating Chinese Citizenship. The prisoners Are Now in the Custody of Ukraine’s SBU Security Service.
Ukraine Has Since Demanded Answers from Beijing, with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha Summoning China’s Chargé D’affaires to Condemn the Development and Seek Clarification.
According to Zelensky, Ukrainian Intelligence Believes More Chinese Nationals May Be Serving in Russian Units.
However, It Remains Unclear how These Individuals Entered Ukraine and Whether the Chinese Government Was Aware of Their Activities.
Beijing’s Response
China’s Foreign Ministry Said on Wednesday that It Is Working to Verify the Reports with Ukrainian Authorities.
Spokesperson Lin Jian Reiterated Beijing’s Official Position, Stating that China Instructs Its Citizens to Avoid War Zones and Any Form of Military Involvement Abroad.
Ukraine Labels Them Mercenaries
Andriy Kovalenko from Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Referred to The Captured Chinese as “mercenaries,” Although No Detailed Evidence Has Been Presented.
Both Russia and Ukraine Have Previously Drawn in Foreign Fighters, Who Are Often Branded as Mercenaries by Their Adversaries.
U.S. Reaction
State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce Called the Situation “Disturbing,” Citing Not Just the Reported Chinese Presence but Also North Korea’s Known Involvement. She Emphasized that China Supplies Nearly 80 Percent of The Dual-Use Items Russia Relies on To Sustain Its Military Operations.
“China is a Major Enabler of Russia in the War in Ukraine,” Bruce Said. “Their cooperation only adds to Global Instability and threatens the Safety and Prosperity of the United States and Its Allies.”
Broader Context
North Korea Remains the Only Country Known to Have Officially Deployed Combat Troops in Support of Russia, Engaging in Fighting in The Western Russian Kursk Region.
Ukraine Temporarily Gained Ground There in A Bold Cross-Border Offensive in August 2024, but Russia Has Since Retaken Most of The Area.
Zelensky emphasized the Contrast Between the Two Cases: “North Koreans Fought Against Us in Russian Territory. The Chinese Are Fighting on Ukrainian Soil. That’s a Key Difference, and One We Must Urgently Discuss with Our International Partners.”
Key Quotes
- Tammy Bruce, U.S. State Department: “cooperation Between Two Nuclear Powers—china and Russia—only Increases Global Risk.”
- Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine: “These are Chinese Citizens. We Found Their Documents, Passports, and Credit Cards.”
- Andrii Sybiha, Ukrainian Foreign Minister: “This Undermines China’s Credibility as A Responsible UN Security Council Member and Casts Doubt on Its Claimed Commitment to Peace.”
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