Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that at least 155 Chinese nationals are currently fighting for the Russian Federation against Ukraine. The individuals are alleged to be serving on Ukrainian territory as part of Russian military units, with identifying documentation reportedly available for each.
Zelenskyy made the remarks during a press conference on 9 April 2025, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine. Representatives of Ukrainska Pravda were not invited to attend.
“There are 155 people—identified by name and passport details—155 Chinese citizens who are fighting against Ukrainians in Ukraine,” the president said. “We believe the actual number is much higher. We have passport data, places of origin, ages, and assigned units, such as the 70th, 71st, and 255th motorised rifle regiments.”
According to Zelenskyy, the recruitment of Chinese nationals by Russian forces is being carried out publicly via Chinese social media platforms, including TikTok.
“Official Beijing is aware of this. Russians are distributing recruitment videos through Chinese social media. It is not covert recruitment—this is important to note. There may also be covert efforts, but this is happening openly.”
Zelenskyy outlined the process as follows: after recruitment through social media, individuals travel to Moscow where they undergo medical examinations lasting three to four days. This is followed by one to two months of training in military centres before deployment to the front lines.
Once in Ukraine, the recruits are reportedly issued Russian migration cards and “Mir” payment system cards, through which they receive their wages.
The president’s remarks follow the recent capture of two Chinese nationals by Ukrainian forces in Donetsk Oblast. On 8 April, it was confirmed that troops from the 81st Airmobile Brigade and the 157th Separate Mechanised Brigade had detained the individuals, who were reportedly serving in the Russian army.
Following the incident, Zelenskyy directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to contact the Chinese government and seek clarification on its position regarding the involvement of its nationals in the conflict.
One of the detainees, captured near the village of Bilohorivka, reportedly told Ukrainian forces that he had joined the Russian army via an intermediary in China, paying 300,000 roubles for the opportunity. He was allegedly promised Russian citizenship and sent for training in occupied Luhansk Oblast. According to the individual, the training was conducted without interpreters, using gestures and mobile phones to communicate.
In response to the claims, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce noted that the alleged involvement of Chinese citizens in the war further underlined the People’s Republic of China’s role in enabling Russian aggression against Ukraine.
The Ukrainian authorities have stated that the identities and affiliations of the 155 Chinese nationals have been verified through official documents, but further investigation is ongoing. Zelenskyy added that Ukrainian intelligence believes the real number may be significantly higher.
The situation introduces new diplomatic considerations. China has maintained a position of neutrality since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, regularly calling for a ceasefire and political settlement. However, Western officials have repeatedly expressed concern about Beijing’s growing ties with Moscow, including reports of dual-use technology transfers.
The potential direct involvement of Chinese nationals in combat operations could complicate China’s diplomatic posture and lead to further scrutiny from the international community.
To date, there has been no official response from Beijing regarding the capture of its nationals or the broader allegations made by President Zelenskyy. Kyiv has indicated that the matter will be raised in upcoming international forums and bilateral contacts.
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