Over 150 Chinese citizens join Russian army to fight against Ukraine

The Wall Street Journal reported the information, reviewing data from Ukrainian intelligence.

The reports indicate a deeper involvement of China in the war than previously known. However, a Western official stated that these individuals were most likely mercenaries among hundreds of other foreigners of various nationalities who joined the Russian army for money.

“We don’t see evidence of state sponsorship here,” the official said.

Ukrainian intelligence reports include photographs and passports of 13 Chinese citizens who were allegedly recruited into a Russian army unit. Another document lists 168 names along with birthdates, contract signing dates, and the names of the units they were assigned to.

Many of the men are listed as riflemen, though a few are described as strike drone operators. This suggests they have been trained in some critical new skills needed on the modern battlefield.

• Ukrainian military forces in the Donetsk region captured two Chinese citizens who were fighting in the Russian army. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed the Foreign Minister to contact Beijing regarding the situation.
• China's Foreign Ministry has stated that it is investigating reports regarding two Chinese citizens who were captured while fighting alongside the Russian army against Ukraine.
• One of the Chinese citizens captured by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Donetsk region said he went to war against Ukraine in order to obtain Russian citizenship.