Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Tuesday that the Ukrainian military had captured two Chinese nationals who were allegedly fighting alongside Russian forces in the eastern Donetsk region. He suggested that there are "significantly more" such fighters. This marked a notable point, as it was the first instance where Ukraine made public claims regarding Chinese fighters involved in the ongoing conflict, which has persisted since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.
In response to these claims, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, stated that Ukraine's allegations of significant numbers of Chinese nationals participating in the fighting were "totally unfounded." He emphasized that the Chinese government instructs its citizens to avoid conflict zones and refrain from any form of military engagement. His statements implied that those captured were likely acting independently rather than as a result of any official involvement by the Chinese government.
China has been a strong diplomatic supporter of Russia throughout the conflict, providing economic assistance through trade in energy and consumer goods. However, Beijing has consistently denied sending troops, weapons, or military expertise to aid Russia. The Chinese Foreign Ministry reiterated that China seeks a politically constructive role in resolving the crisis in Ukraine and had previously put forward a vague peace proposal that many observers found to be inadequate.
Reports from the United States have indicated that thousands of North Korean troops are aiding Russia under an agreement between the two nations, while both Russia and Ukraine permit foreign soldiers to enlist in their respective military efforts. U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed awareness of the reports regarding Chinese nationals fighting for Russia, labeling them as "disturbing." She characterized China as a substantial enabler of Russia in the Ukraine conflict, claiming it supplies nearly 80% of the dual-use items Russia employs in its military operations.
Tensions between Washington and Beijing have increased in recent years, driven by disputes over trade, technology, and geopolitical competition. The Kremlin has rejected a U.S. proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire in the conflict, though the Ukrainian government appears to be more amenable to such discussions. As both sides prepare for potential military campaigns in the forthcoming spring and summer months, fighting continues unabated along the extensive 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line.
In the latest developments, the city of Kramatorsk in eastern Donetsk suffered from a substantial drone assault overnight, resulting in injuries to an 11-year-old girl and her family members. Ukrainian sources reported that Russia launched a total of 55 Shahed and decoy drones during this attack. In turn, the Russian Defense Ministry asserted that its air defenses intercepted 158 Ukrainian drones across 11 regions without recording any casualties or notable damages. However, several Russian regions temporarily suspended flights at their airports due to the drone incursions, with some Ukrainian drones reaching as far as Orenburg in the southern Urals, nearly 1,200 kilometers (745 miles) from the Ukrainian border.
