At least 155 Chinese nationals fighting for Russia, says Zelenskyy

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine was aware of at least 155 Chinese nationals fighting for Russia and accused Beijing of allowing them to participate in the invasion of his country.

- Dan Sabbagh

Officials released two dossiers naming, and in some cases picturing, Chinese men who were said to have signed up, though Ukraine did not go so far as to suggest this meant Beijing was seeking to enter the war alongside Russia.

The Ukrainian president told reporters in a briefing that he was not aware that China "gave some kind of command" to those now fighting for Russia. Still, he did say that Beijing must have been aware that some people were joining another country's military in return for payment.

"We record that they [China] knew about it," Zelenskyy said. "We record that these are Chinese citizens. They are fighting against us, using weapons against Ukrainians on the territory of Ukraine. Their motivation, money or not, politics, etcetera, is not yet known to me. But it will be known."