Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says that at least 155 Chinese citizens are fighting for Russia during the war.
His comments arise after two Chinese fighters were captured earlier this week – marking the first official allegation of kyiv that China provided workforce in Russia.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday, Zelensky reiterated his assertion that there are “much more” Chinese nationals engaged in the conflict, based on information collected by his government.
China has already denied that many citizens are fighting for Russia, saying that the complaint had “no basis in fact”. Beijing has not yet responded to Zelensky’s latest figure.
Wednesday, the spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lin Jian, said that they “still checked the relevant situation with Ukraine” and seemed to suggest that Chinese soldiers operated privately.
“Let me emphasize that the Chinese government always asks Chinese nationals to stay away from armed conflict zones, to avoid any form of involvement in armed conflicts, and in particular to avoid participation in military operations of any party,” said Lin Jian.
He also exhorted Ukraine to “see the effort of China correctly and the constructive role for the political regulations for the crisis of Ukraine”.
A few hours later, Zelensky doubled his claims, saying that “the Chinese problem is serious”.
“There are 155 people with surnames, with data on passports-155 Chinese citizens who fight against Ukrainians in the territory of Ukraine,” he said, according to the remarks reported by Interfax.
He added that Russia recruited Chinese citizens on social networks and that “official Beijing knows it”.
According to Zelensky, alleged recruits receive training in Moscow before being sent to the battlefield to Ukraine, as well as migration and payment documents.
Earlier this week, he said that his forces had fought six Chinese soldiers in the Donetk region of Ukraine and made two prisoners. Russia has refused to comment on this revelation.
The Ukrainian leader said that “the involvement of China by Russia, as well as other countries, whether directly or indirectly, in this war in Europe is a clear signal that Putin intends to end the war”.
The United States has called “disturbing” reports.
Ukraine has in the past questioned the declared neutral position of China. Zelensky previously alleged that Beijing provided “elements that are part of the weapons of Russia” and called on the country to maintain a “coherent” position.
China has been accused by the United States to help Russia make more ammunition, armored vehicles and missiles. It has also been examined to allow double -use technology that can be used both commercially and militarily – such as computer flea and drones – to be exported to Russia.
While Beijing and Moscow are close political and economic allies, China has tried to present itself as a neutral party in the conflict and has repeatedly denied providing Russia with military equipment.
He defends his trade with Moscow by saying that he does not sell deadly weapons and “carefully manages the export of articles for double use in accordance with laws and regulations”.
The allegations concerning the Chinese soldiers who fight for Russia follow the capture of Ukraine of two North Korean soldiers injured in the Kursk Oblast in Russia.
