US officials claim Russian army’s Chinese nationals are mercenaries not linked to Beijing

Apr 12, 2025 - 17:00

officials claim chinese nationals fighting russia linked beijing one two captured citizens were alongside russian troops donetsk oblast video published ukrainian president volodymyr zelenskyy citizen more than hundred military against

More than one hundred Chinese citizens fighting for the Russian military against Ukraine are mercenaries who do not appear to have a direct link to China’s government, according to two US officials familiar with American intelligence and a former Western intelligence official, Reuters reported on 11 April. However, according to the former official speaking to Reuters, Chinese military officers have been operating behind Russia’s lines with Beijing’s approval to gather tactical insights from the war.

This comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly confirmed the capture of two Chinese nationals fighting on the Russian side in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. He also stated that Ukraine has information on 155 Chinese citizens fighting on Russia’s behalf in the east. While claiming neutrality, China, a key ally of Russia, has for years provided Moscow with material support for its war effort, primarily through the shipment of dual-use products needed to maintain weapons like drones and tanks.

Anonymous officials told Reuters these fighters appear to have minimal training and are not having any significant impact on Russia’s military operations.

A former Western intelligence official with knowledge of the issue told Reuters there were approximately 200 Chinese mercenaries fighting for Russia with whom the Chinese government allegedly has no link.

However, the same source revealed that Chinese military officers have been touring areas close to Russia’s frontlines with Beijing’s official approval. These officers “are absolutely there under approval” from the Chinese government, using the opportunity to draw tactical lessons from the war, the former official explained.

China has dismissed Zelenskyy’s remarks as “irresponsible” and insists it is not a party to the war, despite its “no-limits” partnership with Russia and refusal to condemn Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Read also

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!