Zelensky asserts that 155 Chinese fight for Russia in Ukraine

According to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, between 155 and more than Chinese citizens, fight alongside Russia in the war.

His comments came after two Chinese fighters were captured earlier this week- marking Kyiv's first official allegation with respect to China.

"Of course, we have the intelligence that there are many more different nationals fighting," said Zelensky to journalists on Wednesday.

A Chinese government spokesman remarked, "We advise relevant parties to correctly and soberly understand China's role and not to make irresponsible remarks," on Thursday.Social media recruitment

"China is neither the maker nor the party of the Ukrainian crisis. We are a firm supporter, and we are actively promoting the peaceful resolution of the crisis," claimed Lin Jian, the foreign ministry spokesman. 

He reiterated the earlier statement, which seemed to imply that Chinese soldiers fighting for Russia are doing so in their private capacity.

According to Mr. Lin, China "has always required its citizens to stay away from areas of armed conflict and to not become involved in armed conflict in any form, and especially to avoid being included in military operations of any party." 

Beijing has earlier denied claims of many Chinese joining Russian military efforts, saying this assertion is "devoid of factual basis."

Earlier in the week, Zelensky mentioned that Ukrainian forces had clashed with six Chinese soldiers in Donetsk in the east of Ukraine and had taken two prisoners. Russia, however, refused to comment on this report. 

Zelensky told reporters on Wednesday that the "Chinese issue is serious." 

"155 people with surnames, with passport data - 155 Chinese citizens who are fighting against Ukrainians on the territory of Ukraine," he said, according to reports by Interfax.

He added that Russia was drawing in Chinese citizens via social media, and that "official Beijing knows about this." 

According to Zelensky, prospective recruits receive training in Moscow, after which they are provided with migration documents and payment to deploy to the battlefront in Ukraine.

He also posted to X a video that apparently showed the interrogation of two captured Chinese soldiers.

The soldiers spoke in Mandarin Chinese, recounting their backgrounds and how they were captured.

One of them said: "this is my first time on duty and first time in combat. Before this I had never even fired a gun." He further said that he was captured along with a Russian soldier.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky articulated on X that Chinese citizens fighting in Ukraine constitute a serious problem, for he thinks this exposes an act of collusion by China upon Russia to prolong this war. He called on the U.S. and the whole wide world to react to this.U.S. response

The U.S. termed the reports of Chinese citizens fighting for Russia as “disturbing.” Already, Ukraine has questioned China's claim of being neutral. Previously, Zelensky had said China was sending components used in Russian weaponry and raised the idea of China being consistent in its stance.

The U.S. has made further accusations against China of providing assistance to Russia in producing ammunition, military vehicles, and missiles. China has also been said to have allowed the sale to Russia of commodities such as computer chips and drones, which can have civilian and military applications.

Officially, China claims to be neutral in the war despite being regarded as a close ally of Russia politically and in trade. It denies any arms supplies to Russia and claims that it strictly abides by its own laws in relation to exports of items that could have military applications.

These new allegations were brought to light after Ukraine had seized, recently, two injured North Korean soldiers who fought for Russia.