About 200 Chinese mercenaries fight alongside Russia in Ukraine

Reuters reports.

Two U.S. officials and a former Western intelligence officer anonymously told the outlet that Chinese citizens fighting for Russian military forces against Ukraine are mercenaries, likely without direct ties to the Chinese government.

The former intelligence officer believes that Chinese officers are positioned in Russia’s rear with Beijing's approval to study wartime tactics.

The former Western intelligence source, familiar with the situation, said that about 200 Chinese mercenaries, with no connection to the Chinese government, are fighting alongside Russia.

Meanwhile, Chinese military officers have been present in Russia's rear in the combat zone with Beijing’s approval to learn tactical lessons from the war, the Reuters source added.

• On April 9, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian intelligence services are aware of at least 155 Chinese citizens fighting in the Russian army.
• China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that they are unaware of more than 155 Chinese citizens potentially fighting for the Russian army against Ukraine.