Anna Hartz
Two Chinese Nationals Caught Fighting for Russia in Ukraine
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The war in Ukraine keeps drawing in people from far beyond its borders. Now, it seems, even Chinese citizens have ended up on the front lines.
According to Ukraine’s intelligence services, some of them are fighting for the Russian army, writes Digi24.
This week, two of those men were captured and taken in for questioning.
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) said it had started interrogating two Chinese prisoners of war.
They were captured during fighting in the Donetsk region. The SBU says at least 163 Chinese nationals have been fighting on Russia’s side.
Both prisoners were taken to Kyiv. The SBU said they are being questioned with the help of translators.
They are being treated under international law and have received medical care. Images shared by the SBU show the prisoners and their identity documents.
One of the men, born in 1991, said he was recruited inside China. A Russian representative offered him a deal.
He flew to Moscow in February 2025. There, he signed a contract to join the Russian army. The second prisoner was born in 1998. He said he first came to Russia as a tourist in December 2024.
Later, he saw an online ad offering 2 million rubles to join the army. That’s about 21,000 euros. He signed up.
Both men were captured during their first mission. According to them, they were part of a small group.
Ukrainian forces clashed with them in Donetsk. Two were captured. Others may have escaped or been killed.
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the capture. He said 155 Chinese citizens are already confirmed to be fighting on Ukrainian soil.
Authorities believe the true number could be higher. Zelensky also said they have documents with the names, ages, and passport data of those already identified.
The investigation into foreign fighters continues. Ukraine says it will gather as much information as it can. For now, these two men are providing some of the first direct testimony.