Ukraine captures two Chinese soldiers fighting for Russia, Zelenskiy says
- 8 April, 12:01
Ukraine has captured two Chinese mercenaries fighting within the Russian army, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday.
Posting in social media, Zelenskiy said they were two of many more Chinese members of the Russian army. “We have information that there are significantly more Chinese citizens in the occupier’s units than two. We are currently clarifying all the facts. Intelligence, the [Security Service of Ukraine] SBU, and the relevant units of the Armed Forces are working,” Zelenskiy said. He said that the two men are under the SBU’s custody.
Zelenskiy accused Russia of trying to involve Beijing in the conflict “directly or indirectly”, arguing that recruitment of Chinese fighters into Russian army showed that Moscow was not interested in peace. “Russia’s involvement of China, along with other countries, whether directly or indirectly, in this war in Europe is a clear signal that Putin intends to do anything but end the war. He is looking for ways to continue fighting,” Zelenskiy wrote on social media.
A video posted on Telegram app showed one of the Chinese hostages being questioned by Ukrainian armed forces. It’s unknown whether the man had joined the Russian army voluntarily or was fighting against the Ukrainian army at the behest of the Chinese government.
