Captured Chinese soldiers are two of many fighting for Russia, suggests Zelensky

Two Chinese soldiers have been captured inside Ukraine fighting alongside Vladimir Putin’s forces, Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday as he claimed there are many more” among Russia’s ranks.

- ALEX CROFT

Ukrainian forces battled six Chinese citizens in the eastern Donetsk region and took two prisoner, according to the Ukrainian president, who shared footage of one of the prisoners, who appeared with his hands zip-tied together.

Kyiv demanded an explanation from Beijing, summoning China’s charge d’affaires as foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said the development “undermines Beijing’s credibility as a responsible permanent member of the UN Security Council”.

Mr Zelensky said the clash with the Chinese soldiers occurred near the villages of Tarasivka and Bilohorivka in Donetsk. The involvement of Chinese troops appears to be the most significant participation of foreign fighters in Moscow’s war effort since 12,000 North Koreans assisted Russian troops in Kursk – where they recently reclaimed large areas of land from Ukraine.